Selective invocation of playback content supplementation

ABSTRACT

A system, method, computer program product, and carrier are described for obtaining one or more positions in a playable message and at least an indication of a playback system configuration and signaling a decision of which supplemental content to use in supplementing the one or more positions in the playable message. A system, method, computer program product, and carrier are described for accepting user-response-indicative data and environmental-regularity-indicative data from an environment and configuring a distillation recording of the environmental-regularity-indicative data and a distillation recording of the user-response-indicative data. A system, method, computer program product, and carrier are described for obtaining an indication of a first device receiving a message portion during a time interval in which a second device received the message portion and signaling a decision whether to facilitate a signal transfer at least between the first device and the second device.

If an Application Data Sheet (ADS) has been filed on the filing date ofthis application, it is incorporated by reference herein. Anyapplications claimed on the ADS for priority under 35 U.S.C. §§119, 120,121 or 365(c), and any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent,etc. applications of such applications, are also incorporated byreference, including any priority claims made in those applications andany material incorporated by reference, to the extent such subjectmatter is not inconsistent herewith.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to and claims the benefit of theearliest available effective filing date(s) from the following listedapplication(s) (the “Priority Applications”), if any, listed below(e.g., claims earliest available priority dates for other thanprovisional patent applications or claims benefits under 35 USC §119(e)for provisional patent applications, for any and all parent,grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the PriorityApplication(s)). In addition, the present application is related to the“Related Applications(s),” if any, listed below:

PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/893,994, entitled SELECTIVE INVOCATION OF PLAYBACK CONTENTSUPPLEMENTATION, naming Royce A. Levien; Robert W. Lord; and Mark A.Malamud as inventors, filed on Aug. 17, 2007, and issued as U.S. Pat.No. 8,583,267 on Nov. 12, 2013, which is an application of which acurrently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit of thefiling date;

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/894,028, entitled Effectively documenting irregularities in aresponsive user's environment EFFECTIVELY DOCUMENTING IRREGULARITIES INA RESPONSE USER'S ENVIRONMENT, naming Royce A. Levien; Robert W. Lord;and Mark A. Malamud as inventors, filed on Aug. 17, 2007, and issued asU.S. Pat. No. 7,733,223 on Jun. 8, 2010, which is an application ofwhich a currently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit ofthe filing date;

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/894,053, entitled FACILITATING COMMUNICATIONS AMONG MESSAGERECIPIENTS, naming Royce A. Levien; Robert W. Lord; and Mark A. Malamudas inventors, filed on Aug. 17, 2007, and issued as U.S. Pat. No.8,990,400 on Mar. 24, 2015, which is an application of which a currentlyco-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date;and

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/029,227, entitled SELECTIVE INVOCATION OF PLAYBACK CONTENTSUPPLEMENTATION, naming Royce A. Levien; Robert W. Lord; and Mark A.Malamud as inventors, filed on Sep. 17, 2013, which is currentlyco-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pendingapplication is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

The United States Patent Office (USPTO) has published a notice to theeffect that the USPTO's computer programs require that patent applicantsboth reference a serial number and indicate whether an application is acontinuation, continuation-in-part, or divisional of a parentapplication. Stephen G. Kunin, Benefit of Prior-Filed Application, USPTOOfficial Gazette Mar. 18, 2003. The USPTO further has provided forms forthe Application Data Sheet which allow automatic loading ofbibliographic data but which require identification of each applicationas a continuation, continuation-in-part, or divisional of a parentapplication. The present Applicant Entity (hereinafter “Applicant”) hasprovided above a specific reference to the application(s) from whichpriority is being claimed as recited by statute. Applicant understandsthat the statute is unambiguous in its specific reference language anddoes not require either a serial number or any characterization, such as“continuation” or “continuation-in-part,” for claiming priority to U.S.patent applications. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Applicantunderstands that the USPTO's computer programs have certain data entryrequirements, and hence Applicant has provided designation(s) of arelationship between the present application and its parentapplication(s) as set forth above and in any ADS filed in thisapplication, but expressly points out that such designation(s) are notto be construed in any way as any type of commentary and/or admission asto whether or not the present application contains any new matter inaddition to the matter of its parent application(s).

If the listing of applications provided above is inconsistent with thelisting provided via an ADS, it is the intent of the Applicant to claimpriority to each application that appears in the Priority Applicationssection of the ADS and to each application that appears in the PriorityApplications section of this application.

All subject matter of the Priority Applications and the RelatedApplications and of any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent,etc. applications of the Priority Applications and the RelatedApplications, including any priority claims, is incorporated herein byreference to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistentherewith.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a method includes but is not limited to obtaining one ormore positions in a playable message and at least an indication of aplayback system configuration and signaling a decision of whichsupplemental content to use in supplementing the one or more positionsin the playable message. In addition to the foregoing, other methodaspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a partof the present disclosure.

In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to circuitry forobtaining one or more positions in a playable message and at least anindication of a playback system configuration and circuitry forsignaling a decision of which supplemental content to use insupplementing the one or more positions in the playable message. Inaddition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one aspect, a method includes but is not limited to obtaining anindication of a first device receiving a message portion during a timeinterval in which a second device received the message portion andsignaling a decision whether to facilitate a signal transfer at leastbetween the first device and the second device. In addition to theforegoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings,and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to circuitry forobtaining an indication of a first device receiving a message portionduring a time interval in which a second device received the messageportion and circuitry for signaling a decision whether to facilitate asignal transfer at least between the first device and the second device.In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one aspect, a method includes but is not limited to acceptinguser-response-indicative data and environmental-regularity-indicativedata from an environment and configuring a distillation recording of theenvironmental-regularity-indicative data and a distillation recording ofthe user-response-indicative data. In addition to the foregoing, othermethod aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming apart of the present disclosure.

In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to circuitry foraccepting user-response-indicative data andenvironmental-regularity-indicative data from an environment andcircuitry for configuring a distillation recording of theenvironmental-regularity-indicative data and a distillation recording ofthe user-response-indicative data. In addition to the foregoing, othersystem aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming apart of the present disclosure.

In one aspect, a method includes but is not limited to obtaining one ormore positions in a playable message and at least an indication of aplayback system configuration and signaling a decision of whichsupplemental content to use in supplementing the one or more positionsin the playable message. In addition to the foregoing, other methodaspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a partof the present disclosure.

In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to circuitry forobtaining one or more positions in a playable message and at least anindication of a playback system configuration and circuitry forsignaling a decision of which supplemental content to use insupplementing the one or more positions in the playable message. Inaddition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one aspect, a method includes but is not limited to obtaining one ormore positions in a playable message and at least an indication of aplayback system configuration and signaling a decision of whichsupplemental content to use in supplementing the one or more positionsin the playable message. In addition to the foregoing, other methodaspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a partof the present disclosure.

In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to circuitry forobtaining one or more positions in a playable message and at least anindication of a playback system configuration and circuitry forsignaling a decision of which supplemental content to use insupplementing the one or more positions in the playable message. Inaddition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one aspect, a method includes but is not limited to obtaining anindication of a first device receiving a message portion during a timeinterval in which a second device received the message portion andsignaling a decision whether to facilitate a signal transfer at leastbetween the first device and the second device. In addition to theforegoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings,and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to circuitry forobtaining an indication of a first device receiving a message portionduring a time interval in which a second device received the messageportion and circuitry for signaling a decision whether to facilitate asignal transfer at least between the first device and the second device.In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one or more various aspects, related systems include but are notlimited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting theherein-referenced method aspects; the circuitry and/or programming canbe virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmwareconfigured to effect the herein-referenced method aspects depending uponthe design choices of the system designer.

In addition to the foregoing, various other method and/or system and/orprogram product and/or physical carrier aspects are set forth anddescribed in the teachings such as text (e.g., claims and/or detaileddescription) and/or drawings of the present disclosure.

The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity,simplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail; consequently,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting. Otheraspects, features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes and/orother subject matter described herein will become apparent in theteachings set forth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary environment in which one or moretechnologies may be implemented.

FIG. 2 depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational process.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary environment in which one or moretechnologies may be implemented.

FIG. 4 depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational process.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary environment in which one or moretechnologies may be implemented.

FIG. 6 depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational process.

FIGS. 7-19 depict other exemplary environments in each of which one ormore technologies may be implemented.

FIGS. 20-21 depict variants of the flow of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 22-23 depict variants of the flow of FIG. 6.

FIGS. 24-25 depict variants of the flow of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the arthas progressed to the point where there is little distinction leftbetween hardware and software implementations of aspects of systems; theuse of hardware or software is generally (but not always, in that incertain contexts the choice between hardware and software can becomesignificant) a design choice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs.Those having skill in the art will appreciate that there are variousvehicles by which processes and/or systems and/or other technologiesdescribed herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/orfirmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context inwhich the processes and/or systems and/or other technologies aredeployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed andaccuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly hardwareand/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, theimplementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet againalternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware,software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several possible vehicles bywhich the processes and/or devices and/or other technologies describedherein may be effected, none of which is inherently superior to theother in that any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon thecontext in which the vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns(e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any ofwhich may vary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that opticalaspects of implementations will typically employ optically-orientedhardware, software, and or firmware.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The use of the samesymbols in different drawings typically indicates similar or identicalitems. The illustrative embodiments described in the detaileddescription, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Otherembodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.

Following are a series of systems and flowcharts depictingimplementations of processes. For ease of understanding, the flowchartsare organized such that the initial flowcharts present implementationsvia an initial “big picture” viewpoint and thereafter the followingflowcharts present alternate implementations and/or expansions of the“big picture” flowcharts as either sub-steps or additional stepsbuilding on one or more earlier-presented flowcharts. Those having skillin the art will appreciate that the style of presentation utilizedherein (e.g., beginning with a presentation of a flowchart(s) presentingan overall view and thereafter providing additions to and/or furtherdetails in subsequent flowcharts) generally allows for a rapid and easyunderstanding of the various process implementations. In addition, thoseskilled in the art will further appreciate that the style ofpresentation used herein also lends itself well to modular and/orobject-oriented program design paradigms.

With reference now to FIG. 1, shown is an example of a system that may(optionally) serve as a context for introducing one or more processesand/or devices described herein. As shown system 100 may (optionally)include one or more instances of collection modules 130; content items141, 142; decisions 160; primary modules 170; or interfaces 180 operablefor handling output 185. Collection module 130 may comprise one or moreinstances of positions 121, 122, 123 in respective messages 120;indications 132, 136; or configurations 138. As shown each such system100 may be operably (directly or indirectly) coupled with one or moreinstances of network 190. Network 190 may (optionally) include or accessone or more instances of users 191, content items 193, or playbacksystems 197 (optionally each with one or more configurations 198).

With reference now to FIG. 2, there is shown a high-level logic flow 200of an operational process. Flow 200 includes operation 240—obtaining oneor more positions in a playable message and at least an indication of aplayback system configuration (e.g. collection module 130 detecting orotherwise identifying one or more positions 122 in playable message 120and also at least an indication 132 of a playback system configuration138). This may occur, for example, in an embodiment in which a localinterface 180 comprises the playback system. Alternatively oradditionally, collection module 130 may use a local indication 136 ofremote information such as a configuration 198 of one or more otherplayback systems 197.

Flow 200 further includes operation 260—signaling a decision of whichsupplemental content to use in supplementing the one or more positionsin the playable message responsive to the indication of the playbacksystem configuration (e.g. primary module 170 transmitting orimplementing a decision 160 on which one or more items 141, 142 ofcontent will be used in supplementing the one or more identifiedpositions 122). This may occur, for example, in embodiments in which thedecision 160 is received from a user 191 accessible by a network or inwhich the decision is received via a local interface 180. Alternativelyor additionally, the decision may be manifested by expressing thedecision 160 or the supplemented message 120 as output 185. In somevariants, for example, such output 185 may be enabled or presentedlocally and/or via one or more playback systems 197.

With reference now to FIG. 3, shown is another example of a system thatmay serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/ordevices described herein. As shown devices 310, 320 may be configured tointeract with network 350 or with each other, such as potentiallythrough linkage 315. Network 350 may include or access one or moremessage portions 351, 352, 353 such as by being coupled with system 360.As shown system 360 may include one or more instances of messageportions 353; collection modules 380 operable for handling indications385 as described herein; or primary modules 390 operable for handlingdecisions 395 as described next.

With reference now to FIG. 4, there is shown a high-level logic flow 400of an operational process. Flow 400 includes operation 430—obtaining anindication of a first device receiving a message portion during a timeinterval in which a second device received the message portion (e.g.collection module 380 generating or receiving one or more indications385 of device 310 receiving at least portion 351 during a retrieval,billing period, performance, or other observable period in which device320 also received portion 351). Alternatively or additionally,collection module 380 may likewise perform operation 430 by detectingportion 352 being apparently transmitted to device 320 or by detectingportion 351 being apparently received in system 360, roughlycorresponding in time to the same one or more portions 351-353 beingsent elsewhere. In some variants, moreover, one or more such messageportions 351 may be received from local sources, such as in respectivevicinities of devices 310, 320.

Flow 400 further includes operation 480—signaling a decision whether tofacilitate a signal transfer at least between the first device and thesecond device at least partly in response to the indication of the firstdevice receiving the message portion during the time interval in whichthe second device received the message portion (e.g. primary module 390activating a direct or indirect linkage 315 at least between device 310and device 320). Alternatively or additionally, primary module 390 may(optionally) manifest an affirmative decision 395 by causing one or bothsuch devices 310, 320 to be notified about the other or in other ways asdescribed herein.

With reference now to FIG. 5, shown is another example of a system thatmay serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/ordevices described herein. Shown there is an academic or medicalexaminee, survey participant, contestant, voter, or other user 501 whoseresponses are of interest and who is wearing a sensor apparatus,goggles, or a similar item 510 in environment 505. Item 510 may furthercomprise one or more instances of earpieces 543, apertures 545, logic547, or microphones or other sensor modules 549. Item 510 may beconfigured to fit onto or over eyeglasses, in some embodiments, and/orto have apertures 545 large enough to enable user 501 to read normally.Alternatively or additionally, logic 547 thereof may include one or moreinstances of processors or other resources as described herein and/ormay permit a temporary docking or other intermittent linkage 555 withone or more instances of system 500. System 500 may, in turn, compriseenvironmental-regularity-indicative (ERI) data 561,user-response-indicative (URI) data 562, modules 566, extractors571-572, ports 588, or outputs 589 as described below.

With reference now to FIG. 6, there is shown a high-level logic flow 600of an operational process. Flow 600 includes operation 610—acceptinguser-response-indicative data and environmental-regularity-indicativedata from an environment (e.g. logic 547 receiving URI data 562indicative of one or more users' response to stimuli as well as ERI data561 indicative of a regularity in their environment 505). This may occurin a virtual environment provided in item 510, for example, in whichsuch data is primarily optical and/or auditory. Alternatively oradditionally, sensor module 549 may be configured to detect typedanswers received via wireless linkage, particularly in an implementationin which item 510 comprises holes or other optical apertures 545 throughwhich user 501 can see.

Flow 600 further includes operation 650—configuring a distillationrecording of the environmental-regularity-indicative data and adistillation recording of the user-response-indicative data (e.g.extractors 571, 572 generating one or more respective components ofoutput 589 or composite output from ERI data 561 and URI data 562). Thismay occur, for example, in embodiments in which output 589 is recordedlocally or in which some or all of it is transmitted to a remotearchiving site. Common data may, moreover, comprise more than one suchdata source and/or be aggregated and/or distilled at various orsuccessive stages as exemplified herein.

With reference now to FIG. 7, shown is another example of systems thatmay serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/ordevices described herein. As shown system 700 may (optionally) includeone or more instances of systems 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, 760, 770, or780, each optionally coupled as shown with or through hub 790. Hub 790may contain or otherwise bear one or more messages 795, optionallyexpressing respective destinations 796. In a session online, one or moreusers 701 may each receive output 707 from or provide input 708 to arespective system 710. System 720 may, for example, include one or moreinstances of segments 725 as described below. System 730 may similarlycomprise one or more instances of fixtures or other stationary sensors727, mobile devices 728, global positioning system (GPS) devices 729,ERI data 735, or extraction logic 745. Such ERI data 735 may include oneor more instances of indices 731-732 or other data 733-734 as describedbelow, for example. Such extraction logic 745 may likewise include oneor more instances of modules 741, 742, 743, 744 as described below.System 760 may include one or more instances of segment 765 as describedbelow. Referring now to FIG. 7 in conjunction with FIG. 5, logic 547 orsystem 500 may comprise any such systems 710-780 or hub 790 in someembodiments.

With reference now to FIG. 8, shown is another example of a system thatmay serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/ordevices described herein. User 801 is shown in an environment 805 of aworkstation 800 comprising one or more instances of microphones,cameras, or other sensors 806; display images 808 comprising respectiveportions 811, 812; output devices 810; documents or other material 813;input devices 820; or the like. Referring again to FIG. 7 in conjunctionwith FIG. 8, workstation 800 may comprise any such systems 710-780 orhub 790 in some embodiments.

With reference now to FIG. 9, shown is another example of a system thatmay serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/ordevices described herein. Interface 900 may comprise one or moreinstances of modules 965, audio data 971, video data 972, or images 973having portions 974 of interest. As described below, for example, one ormore images having even a tiny portion of a user's eyes may (optionally)be cropped so that about 1%-5% or more of the total image data consistsof ocular data, preferably in a grayscale or color form. Any suchobjects of interface 900 may (optionally) include two or more versions975, 980 in some variants. Version 980 may, for example, comprise two ormore distinguishable expressions 982 therein. For a timeline 985 ofaudio data, one or more instances 984 of phrases or other content 983can likewise be identified, as can one or more time segments 987 inwhich each such instance 984 began or ended. Referring again to FIG. 7in conjunction with FIG. 9, any such systems 710-780 or hub 790 mayinclude one or more instances of interface 900 in some embodiments.

With reference now to FIG. 10, shown is another example of a system thatmay serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/ordevices described herein. Medium 1000 may comprise one or more instancesof image data 1080; sequential portions 1091, 1092, 1093, 1094 ofstreaming content or other messages 1090; or other content 1095. Imagedata 1080 may include one or more instances of ocular portions1011-1012, non-ocular portions 1014-1015 such as image 1060, or othersegments 1071, 1072, 1073. Image 1060 may, for example, show displayportions 1061-1062, documents or other material 1063, or keyboards 1065or wearable items 1066.

Ocular portion 1011 constitutes an ocular image generally indicative ofa user's field of view reflected in his eye, but slightly smaller thanone kilobyte in black-and-white pixel form. This image is coarse buteven in this form, it still has several discernable features. Forexample, image portion 1021 is distinguishable as display portion 1061,image portion 1022 is distinguishable as display portion 1062, imageportion 1023 is distinguishable as material 1063, image portion 1025 isdistinguishable as keyboard 1065, and image portion 1027 isdistinguishable as reflecting darker areas (e.g. in relation to asuitable intensity threshold) in the user's environment. In someembodiments, one or more instances of ocular portions 1012 (or theocular portion of image portion 974) may comprise respective maps ofbrightness and/or hue larger than 1 megabyte. Alternatively oradditionally, two or more instances of ocular portions 1012 detectedwithin a one-minute period may also suffice for detecting some modes ofirregularities, especially if such temporally proximate portionscomprise respective maps larger than 1 megabyte in combination.Referring again to FIG. 7 in conjunction with FIG. 10, any such systems710-780 or hub 790 may implement one or more instances of medium 1000 insome embodiments, as described herein, or medium 1000 may be implementedin isolation.

With reference now to FIG. 11, shown is another example of a system thatmay serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/ordevices described herein. System 1100 may comprise one or more instancesof (environmental-regularity-indicative) ERI data 1110;(user-response-indicative) URI data 1120; primary modules 1130;receivers 1140; distilled data 1141, 1147; raw data 1142, 1143, 1144,1145; output 1146, 1148; modules 1151, 1152, 1153; ports 1154, 1155;processors 1162, 1164; handling logic 1170 operable for interacting withmemory 1173 or storage 1174; modules 1181-1182; or timing logic 1190.ERI data 1110 may include one or more instances of data 1111, 1112,1113, 1114, 1115, 1116 that may be temporally sequential. URI data 1120may include one or more roughly corresponding instances of data 1121,1122, 1123, 1124, 1125, 1126 as described below. Primary module 1130may, moreover, comprise one or more instances of various modules 1131,1132, 1133, 1134, 1135, 1136, 1137, 1138, 1139 as described below(primarily with reference to FIGS. 22-23). Referring again to FIG. 7 inconjunction with FIG. 11, any such systems 710-780 or hub 790 maycomprise system 1100 in some embodiments, as described herein, or system1100 may be implemented in isolation.

With reference now to FIG. 12, shown is another example of a system thatmay serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/ordevices described herein. Collection module 1200 may comprise one ormore instances of input 1201, 1202, 1203; messages 1205; information1206; input processing modules 1210 (comprising modules 1211, 1212);records 1220, 1230 respectively relating one or more locations 1221,1231 at least with one or more pointers or other access objects 1222,1232; records 1240, 1250 respectively relating two or more fields1241-1244 (including one or more data fields 1242 and one or moreposition fields 1243); categories 1260; configuration modules 1270;database managers 1280; identifiers 1281-1282; criteria 1283; filters1284; modules 1288, 1289, 1291, 1292; or evaluation logic 1295.Categories 1260 may include one or more instances of lengths 1261,ratings 1262, recommenders 1263, providers 1264, subjects 1265,languages 1267, or levels 1268. Configuration module 1270 may compriseone or more instances of attributes 1271-1272, filters 1273, modules1274, or configurations 1277. Evaluation logic 1295 may comprise one ormore instances of modules 1293, compressions 1297, or sizes 1298. Suchcomponents of FIG. 12 are further described below, primarily withreference to FIGS. 22-23. Referring again to FIG. 7 in conjunction withFIG. 12, any such systems 710-780 or hub 790 may implement one or morecollection modules 1200 in some embodiments, as described herein, orcollection module 1200 may be implemented in isolation.

With reference now to FIG. 13, shown is another example of a system thatmay serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/ordevices described herein. System 1310 may be coupled with playbacksystem 1370 as shown, for example, or may serve as hub 790 (of FIG. 7)for two or more such systems. System 1310 may include one or moreinstances of administration modules 1320, coordination modules 1340, orother modules 1311-1312. Administration module 1320 may, in turn,comprise one or more instances of modules 1321-1322 or profiles 1331,1332, 1333 as described below. Coordination module 1340 may include oneor more instances of criteria 1341, 1351; information 1342, 1352;filters 1343, 1353; or identifiers 1344, 1354 as described below.

Playback system 1370 may comprise one or more instances of software1378, configurations 1380, or interfaces 1390—as may any playbackfeatures that may be implemented in systems 710-780. Such aconfiguration 1380 may include one or more attributes 1381-1382.Interface 1390 may include one or more instances of display screens orother output devices 1396 or microphones or other input devices 1398.Such components of FIG. 13 are further described below, primarily withreference to FIGS. 24-25.

With reference now to FIG. 14, shown is another example of a system thatmay serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/ordevices described herein. System 1400 may comprise one or more instancesof criteria 1421, 1422; information 1430; primary modules 1440;inventory 1450; manifestations 1460; processors 1472, 1474;implementation logic 1480; or sequences 1490. Primary module 1440 mayinclude one or more instances of content 1441, 1442, 1443 or of module1446, 1447, 1448, 1449 as described below, primarily with reference toFIGS. 24-25. Inventory 1450 may include one or more instances of items1451, 1452, 1453. Manifestations 1460 (of policies or other preferences)may comprise one or more instances of decisions 1463, history 1465,expressions 1467, or explicit choices 1468. Implementation logic 1480may comprise one or more instances of protocols 1481-1482. In variousembodiments as described herein, sequence 1490 may comprise one or moresequential pairings of successive pointers 1491, 1492; of successivesamples 1493, 1494; or of a pointer 1492 that is consecutive with asample 1493. Any such pointer 1491, 1492 or sample 1493, 1494 maylikewise be omitted from sequence 1490, of course. Referring again toFIG. 7 in conjunction with FIG. 14, any such systems 710-780 or hub 790may comprise one or more instances of system 1400 in some embodiments,as described herein, or system 1400 may be implemented in isolation.

With reference now to FIG. 15, shown is another example of a system thatmay serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/ordevices described herein. System 1500 may comprise one or more instancesof primary modules 1520; processors 1562, 1564; collection modules 1570;or configuration modules 1590. Primary module 1520 may, for example,comprise one or more instances of modules 1521, 1522, 1523, 1524, 1525,1526; decisions 1527; signals 1531-1532; time intervals 1541-1542overlapping along a common axis 1543 of time; or messages 1550 havingrespectively consecutive adjacent portions 1551, 1552, 1553. Collectionmodule 1570 may comprise one or more instances of signals 1571-1572,receivers 1573, indications 1574, ports 1576, times 1577, or modes 1578.Configuration module 1590 may comprise one or more instances of profiles1581-1582, any of which may comprise one or more values 1591, 1592,1593. Such components are further described below, primarily withreference to FIGS. 20-21. Referring again to FIG. 7 in conjunction withFIG. 15, any such systems 710-780 or hub 790 may comprise one or moreinstances of system 1500 in some embodiments, as described herein, orsystem 1500 may be implemented in isolation.

With reference now to FIG. 16, shown is another example of a system thatmay serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/ordevices described herein. System 1600 may comprise one or more instancesof interface modules 1640 (optionally implemented at system 710-720 ofFIG. 7, for example) operably coupled with one or more processingmodules 1690 (through channel 1655 and optionally implemented at system760 or hub 790 of FIG. 7, for example). Interface module 1640 maycomprise one or more instances of collection modules 1610, a driver orother output device 1638, or a receiver or other input device 1639.Collection module 1610 may comprise one or more instances of data 1611;modules 1613-1614; messages 1615 having respective portions 1616, 1617,1618; or control logic 1620. Control logic 1620 may comprise one or moreinstances of modules 1622-1623, sensor logic 1626, or indications 1628.Processing module 1690 may comprise one or more instances of collectionmodules 1660; processors 1672, 1674; ports 1651, 1652, 1653 or otherlinkages 1650; or primary modules 1680. Primary module 1680 may compriseone or more instances of modules 1681, 1682, 1683, 1684, 1685, 1686,1687; timing logic 1695; or other objects 1691-1692. Timing logic 1695may comprise one or more intervals 1696, 1697, 1698. Such components ofsystem 1600 are further described below, primarily with reference toFIGS. 20-21.

With reference now to FIG. 17, shown is another example of a system thatmay serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/ordevices described herein. System 1700 may comprise one or more instancesof evaluation logic 1710, primary modules 1720, interfaces 1750, orcollection modules 1770, some or all of which may interact with network1790. Evaluation logic 1710 may comprise one or more instances offunction 1711; thresholds 1715, 1716, 1717; or modifiers 1718. Primarymodule 1720 may comprise one or more instances of modules 1721, 1722,1723 or expressions 1731, 1732 in images 1730. Collection module 1770may comprise one or more instances of modules 1771, 1772, 1773, 1774;content 1775; or data 1785 or other indications 1781, 1782, 1783, 1784.Network 1790 may comprise one or more instances of playback modules1792; video or other content 1795 on removable media or other storage1794; or routers 1798. Such components of system 1700 and network 1790are further described below, primarily with reference to FIGS. 20-21.

With reference now to FIG. 18, shown is an example of a system that mayserve as a context for introducing one or more processes, systems orother articles described herein. Primary system 1800 may include one ormore instances of outputs 1820, 1840 or implementations 1850, 1870 thatmay be held or transmitted by interfaces 1810, conduits 1890, storagedevices 1891, memories 1892, or the like. In various embodiments asdescribed herein, for example, one or more instances of implementationoutput data 1821, 1822, 1823, 1824, 1825, 1826, 1831, 1832, 1833, orimplementation components 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854, 1855, 1856, 1861,1862, 1863 may each be expressed in any aspect or combination ofsoftware, firmware, or hardware as signals, data, designs, logic,instructions, or the like. The interface(s) 1810 may include one or moreinstances of input devices 1803, output devices 1804, integratedcircuits 1808, lenses 1809, transmitters 1812, reflectors 1817, antennas1818, receivers 1819, or the like for handling data or communicatingwith local users or with network 1880 via linkage 1805, for example.Several variants of primary system 1800 are described below withreference to one or more instances of repeaters 1881, communicationsatellites 1883, servers 1884, processors 1885, routers 1887, or otherelements of network 1880.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that some list items may alsofunction as other list items. In the above-listed types of media, forexample, some instances of interface(s) 1810 may include conduits 1890,or may also function as storage devices. Transmitters 1812 may likewiseinclude input devices or bidirectional user interfaces, in manyimplementations of interface(s) 1810. Each such listed term should notbe narrowed by any implication from other terms in the same list butshould instead be understood in its broadest reasonable interpretationas understood by those skilled in the art.

Several variants described herein refer to device-detectable“implementations” such as one or more instances of computer-readablecode, transistor or latch connectivity layouts or other geometricexpressions of logical elements, firmware or software expressions oftransfer functions implementing computational specifications, digitalexpressions of truth tables, or the like. Such instances can, in someimplementations, include source code or other human-readable portions.Alternatively or additionally, functions of implementations describedherein may constitute one or more device-detectable outputs such asdecisions, manifestations, side effects, results, coding or otherexpressions, displayable images, data files, data associations,statistical correlations, streaming signals, intensity levels,frequencies or other measurable attributes, packets or other encodedexpressions, or the like from invoking or monitoring the implementationas described herein.

Referring again to FIG. 2, flow 200 may be performed by one or moreinstances of server 1884 remote from primary system 1800, for example,but operable to cause output device(s) 1804 to receive and presentresults via linkage 1805. Alternatively or additionally,device-detectable data 1832 may be borne by one or more instances ofsignal-bearing conduits 1890, integrated circuits 1808, or the like asdescribed herein. Such data may optionally be configured fortransmission by a semiconductor chip or other embodiment of integratedcircuit 1808 that contains or is otherwise operatively coupled withantenna 1818 (in a radio-frequency identification tag, for example).

In some variants, some instances of flow 200 may be implemented entirelywithin primary system 1800, optionally as a stand-alone system.Operation 240 may be implemented by configuring component 1861 as logicfor obtaining one or more positions in a playable message and at leastan indication of a playback system configuration, for example. This canbe accomplished by including special-purpose instruction sequences orspecial-purpose-circuit designs for this function, for example, inoptical or other known circuit fabrication operations, in programming byvarious known voltage modulation techniques, or otherwise as describedherein or known by those skilled in the art. Output data 1831 from sucha component in primary system 1800 or network 1880 may be recorded bywriting to or otherwise configuring available portions of storagedevice(s) 1891.

Alternatively or additionally, such specific output data may betransmitted by configuring transistors, relays, or other drivers orconduits 1890 of primary system 1800 to transfer it to component 1862,for example. Component 1862 may perform operation 260 via implementationas logic for signaling a decision of which supplemental content to usein supplementing the one or more positions in the playable message, forexample. Implementation output data 1832 from such a component inprimary system 1800 or network 1880 may be recorded into availableportions of storage device(s) 1891 or sent to component 1863, forexample. Output 1840 from flow 200 may likewise include other data asdescribed herein. Each portion of implementation 1850 may likewiseinclude one or more instances of software, hardware, or the likeimplementing logic that may be expressed in several respective forms asdescribed herein or otherwise understood by those skilled in the art.

Referring again to FIG. 4, some instance of flow 400 may be implementedentirely within primary system 1800. Operation 430 may be implemented byconfiguring component 1851 as logic for obtaining an indication of afirst device receiving a message portion during a time interval in whicha second device received the message portion, for example, such as byincluding special-purpose instruction sequences orspecial-purpose-circuit designs for this function. Output data 1821 fromsuch a component in primary system 1800 or network 1880 may be recordedinto available portions of storage device(s) 1891 or sent to component1852, for example. Component 1852 may perform operation 480 viaimplementation as logic for signaling a decision whether to facilitate asignal transfer at least between the first device and the second device,for example. Implementation output data 1822 from such a component inprimary system 1800 or network 1880 may be recorded into availableportions of storage device(s) 1891 or sent to component 1853, forexample. Output 1820 from flow 400 may likewise include other data 1823,1824 as described herein. Each portion of implementation 1850 maylikewise include one or more instances of software, hardware, or thelike implementing logic that may be expressed in several respectiveforms as described herein or otherwise understood by those skilled inthe art.

Referring again to FIG. 6, some instance of flow 600 may be implementedentirely within primary system 1800. Operation 610 may be implemented byconfiguring component 1855 as logic for acceptinguser-response-indicative data and environmental-regularity-indicativedata from an environment, for example, such as by includingspecial-purpose instruction sequences or special-purpose-circuit designsfor this function. Output data 1825 from such a component in primarysystem 1800 or network 1880 may be recorded into available portions ofstorage device(s) 1891 or sent to component 1856, for example. Component1856 may perform operation 650 via implementation as logic forconfiguring a distillation recording of theenvironmental-regularity-indicative data and a distillation recording ofthe user-response-indicative data, for example. Implementation outputdata 1826 from such a component in primary system 1800 or network 1880may be recorded into available portions of storage device(s) 1891 orsent to component 1854, for example. Output 1820 from flow 600 maylikewise include other data as described herein. Each portion ofimplementation 1850 may likewise include one or more instances ofsoftware, hardware, or the like implementing logic that may be expressedin several respective forms as described herein or otherwise understoodby those skilled in the art.

In some embodiments, output device 1804 may indicate an occurrence offlow 200 of FIG. 2 concisely as a decision, an evaluation, an effect, anhypothesis, a probability, a notification, or some other usefultechnical result. For example, such “indicating” may comprise such modesas showing, signifying, acknowledging, updating, explaining,associating, or the like in relation to any past or ongoing performanceof such actions upon the common item(s) as recited. Such indicating mayalso provide one or more specifics about the occurrence: the parties ordevice(s) involved, a description of the method or performance modesused, any sequencing or other temporal aspects involved, indications ofresources used, location(s) of the occurrence, implementation versionindications or other update-indicative information, or any other suchcontextual information that may be worthwhile to provide at potentialoutput destinations.

Concise indication may occur, for example, in a context in which atleast some items of data 1821-1833 do not matter, or in which arecipient may understand or access portions of data 1821-1833 withoutreceiving a preemptive explanation of how it was obtained. By distillingoutput 1820 or output 1840 at an “upstream” stage (which may compriseintegrated circuit 1808, for example, in some arrangements),downstream-stage media (such as other elements of network 1880, forexample) may indicate occurrences of various methods described hereinmore effectively. Variants of flow 200, for example, may be enhanced bydistillations described herein, especially in bandwidth-limitedtransmissions, security-encoded messages, long-distance transmissions,complex images, or compositions of matter bearing other suchexpressions.

In some variants, a local implementation comprises a service operablefor accessing a remote system running a remote implementation. In someembodiments, such “accessing” may include one or more instances ofestablishing or permitting an interaction between the server and a localembodiment such that the local embodiment causes or uses anotherimplementation or output of one or more herein-described functions atthe server. Functioning as a web browser, remote terminal session, orother remote activation or control device, for example, interface(s)1810 may interact with one or more primary system users via input andoutput devices 1803, 1804 so as to manifest an implementation in primarysystem 1800 via an interaction with server 1884, for example, running asecondary implementation of flow 200. Such local implementations maycomprise a visual display supporting a local internet service to theremote server, for example. Such a remote server may control orotherwise enable one or more instances of hardware or software operatingthe secondary implementation outside a system, network, or physicalproximity of primary system 1800. For a building implementing primarysystem 1800, for example, “remote” devices may include those in othercountries, in orbit, or in adjacent buildings. In some embodiments,“running an implementation” may include invoking one or more instancesof software, hardware, firmware, or the like atypically constituted oradapted to facilitate methods or functions as described herein. Forexample, primary system 1800 running an implementation of flow 200 maybe a remote activation of a special-purpose computer program resident onserver 1884 via an internet browser session interaction through linkage1805, mediated by input device 1803 and output device 1804.

In some variants, some or all of components 1851-1856 and 1861-1863 maybe borne in various data-handling elements—e.g., in one or moreinstances of storage devices 1891, in memories 1892 or volatile media,passing through linkage 1805 with network 1880 or other conduits 1890,in one or more registers, or the like. For example, such processing orconfiguration may occur in response to user data or the like received atinput device 1803 or may be presented at output device 1804. Instancesof input devices 1803 may (optionally) include one or more instances ofcameras or other optical devices, hand-held systems or other portablesystems, keypads, sensors, or the like as described herein. Outputdevice(s) 1804 may likewise include one or more instances of imageprojection modules, touch screens, wrist-wearable systems or the likeadapted to be worn while in use, headphones and speakers, eyewear,liquid crystal displays (LCDs), actuators, lasers, organic or otherlight-emitting diodes, phosphorescent elements, portions of (hybrid)input devices 1803, or the like.

A device-detectable implementation of variants described herein withreference to flows 200, 400, 600, for example, may be divided intoseveral components 1851-1856 and 1861-1863 carried by one or moreinstances of active modules such as signal repeaters 1881, communicationsatellites 1883, servers 1884, processors 1885, routers 1887, or thelike. For example, in some embodiments, component 1862 may be borne byan “upstream” module (e.g., repeater 1881 or the like) while or aftercomponent 1861 is borne in a “downstream” module (e.g., another instanceof repeater 1881, communication satellite 1883, server 1884, or thelike). Such downstream modules may “accept” such bits or other portionsof implementation 1850 or implementation 1870 sequentially, for example,such as by amplifying, relaying, storing, checking, or otherwiseprocessing what was received actively. Sensors and other “upstream”modules may likewise “accept” raw data, such as by measuring physicalphenomena or accessing one or more databases.

In some embodiments, a medium bearing data (or other such event) may be“caused” (directly or indirectly) by one or more instances of prior orcontemporaneous measurements, decisions, transitions, circumstances, orother causal determinants. Any such event may likewise depend upon oneor more other prior, contemporaneous, or potential determinants, invarious implementations as taught herein. In other words, such eventsmay occur “in response” to both preparatory (earlier) events andtriggering (contemporaneous) events in some contexts. Output 1840 mayresult from more than one component of implementations 1850, 1870 ormore than one operation of flow 200, for example.

In some embodiments, such integrated circuits 1808 may comprisetransistors, capacitors, amplifiers, latches, converters, or the like ona common substrate of a semiconductor material, operable to performcomputational tasks or other transformations. An integrated circuit maybe application-specific (“ASIC”) in that it is designed for a particularuse rather than for general purpose use. An integrated circuit maylikewise include one or more instances of memory circuits, processors,field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA's), antennas, or other components,and may be referred to as a system-on-a-chip (“SoC”).

In some embodiments, one or more instances of integrated circuits orother processors may be configured to perform auditory patternrecognition. In FIG. 18, for example, instances of the one or more inputdevices 1803 may include a microphone or the like operable to provideauditory samples in data 1831-1839. Some form or portion of such outputmay be provided remotely, for example, to one or more instances ofneural networks or other configurations of remote processors 1885operable to perform automatic or supervised speech recognition,selective auditory data retention or transmission, or other auditorypattern recognition, upon the samples. Alternatively or additionallysuch sound-related data may include annotative information relatingthereto such as a capture time or other temporal indications, capturelocation or other source information, language or other contentindications, decibels or other measured quantities, pointers to relateddata items or other associative indications, or other data aggregationsor distillations as described herein.

In some embodiments, one or more instances of integrated circuits orother processors may be configured for optical image patternrecognition. In FIG. 18, for example, instances of lenses 1809 or otherinput devices 1803 may include optical sensors or the like operable toprovide one or more of geometric, hue, or optical intensity informationin data 1831-1839. Some form or portion of such output may be providedlocally, for example, to one or more instances of optical characterrecognition software, pattern recognition processing resources, or otherconfigurations of integrated circuits 1808 operable to perform automaticor supervised image recognition, selective optical data retention ortransmission, or the like. Alternatively or additionally suchimage-related data may include annotative information relating theretosuch as a capture time or other temporal indications, capture locationor other source information, language or other content indications,pointers to related data items or other associative indications, orother data aggregations or distillations as described herein.

In some embodiments, one or more instances of integrated circuits orother processors may be configured to perform linguistic patternrecognition. In FIG. 19, for example, instances of input devices 1803may include keys, pointing devices, microphones, sensors, referencedata, or the like operable to provide spoken, written, or other symbolicexpressions in data 1831-1839. Some form or portion of such output maybe provided locally, for example, to one or more instances oftranslation utilities, compilers, or other configurations of integratedcircuits 1808 operable to perform automatic or supervised programming orother language recognition, selective linguistic data retention ortransmission, or the like. Alternatively or additionally suchlanguage-related data may include annotative information relatingthereto such as a capture time or other temporal indications, capturelocation or other source information, language or other contentindications, pointers to related data items or other associativeindications, or other data classifications, aggregations, ordistillations as described herein. In some embodiments, one or moreantennas 1818 or receivers 1819 may include a device that is thereceiving end of a communication channel as described herein. Forexample, such a receiver may gather a signal from a dedicated conduit orfrom the environment for subsequent processing and/or retransmission. Asa further example, such antennas or other receivers may include one ormore instances of wireless antennas, radio antennas, satellite antennas,broadband receivers, digital subscriber line (DSL) receivers, modemreceivers, transceivers, or configurations of two or more such devicesfor data reception as described herein or otherwise known.

In one variant, two or more respective portions of output data 1831-1839may be sent from server 1884 through respective channels at varioustimes, one portion passing through repeater 1881 and another throughrouter 1887. Such channels may each bear a respective portion of a dataaggregation or extraction, a publication, a comparative analysis ordecision, a record selection, digital subscriber content, statistics orother research information, a resource status or potential allocation,an evaluation, an opportunity indication, a test or computationalresult, or another output 1820,1840 of interest. Such distributed mediamay be implemented as an expedient or efficient mode of bearing suchportions of output data to a common destination such as interface 1810or a data holding device. Alternatively or additionally, some such datamay be transported by moving a medium (carried on storage device 1891,for example) so that only a small portion (a purchase or other accessauthorization, for example, or a contingent or supplemental module) istransferred via linkage 1805.

In some embodiments, one or more instances of signal repeaters 1881 mayinclude a device or functional implementation that receives a signal andtransmits some or all of the signal with one or more of an alteredstrength or frequency, or with other modulation (e.g., anoptical-electrical-optical amplification device, a radio signalamplifier or format converter, a wireless signal amplifier, or thelike). A repeater may convert analog to digital signals or digital toanalog signals, for example, or perform no conversion. Alternatively oradditionally, a repeater may reshape, retime or otherwise reorder anoutput for transmission. A repeater may likewise introduce a frequencyoffset to an output signal such that the received and transmittedfrequencies are different. A repeater also may include one or moreinstances of a relay, a translator, a transponder, a transceiver, anactive hub, a booster, a noise-attenuating filter, or the like.

In some embodiments, such communication satellite(s) 1883 may beconfigured to facilitate telecommunications while in a geosynchronousorbit, a Molniya orbit, a low earth orbit, or the like. Alternatively oradditionally, a communication satellite may receive or transmit, forexample, telephony signals, television signals, radio signals, broadbandtelecommunications signals, or the like.

In some variants, processor 1885 or any components 1851-1856 and1861-1863 of implementations 1850, 1870 may (optionally) be configuredto perform flow variants as described herein with reference to FIGS.20-25. An occurrence of such a variant can be expressed as acomputation, a transition, or as one or more other items of data1831-1839 described herein. Such output 1820,1840 can be generated, forexample, by depicted components of primary system 1800 or network 1880including one or more features as described with reference to FIGS.7-17.

With reference now to FIG. 19, shown is an example of another systemthat may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes,systems or other articles described herein. As shown system 1900comprises one or more instances of writers 1901, processors 1903,controls 1905, software or other implementations 1907, invokers 1912,compilers 1914, outputs 1916, coding modules 1918, or the like with oneor more media 1990 bearing expressions or outputs thereof. In someembodiments, such media may include distributed media bearing a dividedor otherwise distributed implementation or output. For example, in someembodiments, such media may include two or more physically distinctsolid-state memories, two or more transmission media, a combination ofsuch transmission media with one or more data-holding media configuredas a data source or destination, or the like.

In some embodiments, transmission media may be “configured” to bear anoutput or implementation (a) by causing a channel in a medium to conveya portion thereof or (b) by constituting, adapting, addressing, orotherwise linking to such media in some other mode that depends upon oneor more atypical traits of the partial or whole output orimplementation. Data-holding elements of media may likewise be“configured” to bear an output or implementation portion (a) by holdingthe portion in a storage or memory location or (b) by constituting,adapting, addressing, or otherwise linking to such media in some othermode that depends upon one or more atypical traits of the partial orwhole output or implementation. Such atypical traits may include a name,address, portion identifier, functional description, or the likesufficient to distinguish the output, implementation, or portion from ageneric object.

In some embodiments described herein, “logic” and similarimplementations can include software or other control structuresoperable to guide device operation. Electronic circuitry, for example,can manifest one or more paths of electrical current constructed andarranged to implement various logic functions as described herein. Insome embodiments, one or more media are “configured to bear” adevice-detectable implementation if such media hold or transmit aspecial-purpose device instruction set operable to perform a novelmethod as described herein. Alternatively or additionally, in somevariants, an implementation may include special-purpose hardware orfirmware components or general-purpose components executing or otherwiseinvoking special-purpose components. Specifications or otherimplementations may be transmitted by one or more instances oftransmission media as described herein, optionally by packettransmission or otherwise by passing through distributed media atvarious times.

In some embodiments, one or more of the coding modules 1918 may beconfigured with circuitry for applying, imposing, or otherwise using asyntactic or other encoding constraint in forming, extracting, orotherwise handling respective portions of the device-detectableimplementation or output. In encoding a software module or other messagecontent, for example, compiler 1914 or coding module 1918 may implementone or more such constraints pursuant to public key or other encryption,applying error correction modes, certifying or otherwise annotating themessage content, or implementing other security practices describedherein or known by those skilled in the art. Alternatively oradditionally, another instance of coding module 1918 may be configuredto receive data (via receiver 1819, e.g.) and decode or otherwisedistill the received data using one or more such encoding constraints.Compiler 1914 may, in some variants, convert one or more of components1851-1856 and 1861-1863 from a corresponding source code form before thecomponent(s) are transmitted across linkage 1805.

System 1900 may be implemented, for example, as one or more instances ofstand-alone workstations, servers, vehicles, portable devices, removablemedia 1920, as components of primary system 1800 or network 1880 (ofFIG. 18), or the like. Alternatively or additionally, media 1990 mayinclude one or more instances of signal repeaters 1881, communicationsatellites 1883, servers 1884, processors 1885, routers 1887, portionsof primary system 1800 as shown, or the like.

Media 1990 may include one or more instances of removable media 1920,tapes or other storage media 1926; parallel (transmission) media 1930;disks 1944; memories 1946; other data-handling media 1950; serial media1960; interfaces 1970; or expressions 1989, 1999. Removable media 1920can bear one or more device-detectable instances of instructionsequences 1922 or other implementations of flow 200 or flow 400, forexample. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, removablemedia 1920 can bear alphanumeric data, audio data, image data,structure-descriptive values, or other content 1924 in a context thatindicates an occurrence of one or more flows 200, 400, 600. In somecircumstances, transmission media may bear respective portions ofimplementations as described herein serially or otherwisenon-simultaneously. In some variants in which two portions 1997, 1998constitute a partial or complete software implementation or product of anovel method described herein, portion 1997 may follow portion 1998successively through serial media 1963, 1965, 1967 (with transmission ofportion 1997 partly overlapping in time with transmission of portion1998 passing through medium 1963, for example). As shown, parallelchannels 1931, 1932 are respectively implemented at least in media 1937,1938 of a bus or otherwise effectively in isolation from one another. Insome embodiments, a bus may be a system of two or more signal paths—notunified by a nominally ideal conduction path between them—configured totransfer data between or among internal or external computer components.For example, one data channel may include a power line (e.g., as medium1965) operable for transmitting content of the device-detectableimplementation as described herein between two taps or other terminals(e.g., as media 1963, 1967 comprising a source and destination). Inanother such configuration, one or more media 1937 of channel 1931 maybear portion 1997 before, while or after one or more other media 1938 ofparallel channel 1932 bear portion 1998. In some embodiments, such aprocess may occur “while” another process occurs if they coincide orotherwise overlap in time substantially (by several clock cycles, forexample). In some embodiments, such a process may occur “after” an eventif any instance of the process begins after any instance of the eventconcludes, irrespective of other instances overlapping or the like.

In a variant in which a channel through medium 1950 bears an expression1955 partially implementing an operational flow described herein, theremainder of the implementation may be borne (earlier or later, in someinstances) by the same medium 1950 or by one or more other portions ofmedia 1990 as shown. In some embodiments, moreover, one or more controls1905 may configure at least some media 1990 by triggering transmissionsas described above or transmissions of one or more outputs 1916 thereof.

In some embodiments, the one or more “physical media” may include one ormore instances of conduits, layers, networks, static storagecompositions, or other homogenous or polymorphic structures orcompositions suitable for bearing signals. In some embodiments, such a“communication channel” in physical media may include a signal pathbetween two transceivers or the like. A “remainder” of the media mayinclude other signal paths intersecting the communication channel orother media as described herein. In some variants, another exemplarysystem comprises one or more physical media 1990 constructed andarranged to receive a special-purpose sequence 1982 of two or moredevice-detectable instructions 1984 for implementing a flow as describedherein or to receive an output of executing such instructions. Physicalmedia 1990 may (optionally) be configured by writer 1901, transmitter1812, or the like.

In some embodiments, such a “special-purpose” instruction sequence mayinclude any ordered set of two or more instructions directly orindirectly operable for causing multi-purpose hardware or software toperform one or more methods or functions described herein: source code,macro code, controller or other machine code, or the like. In someembodiments, an implementation may include one or more instances ofspecial-purpose sequences 1982 of instructions 1984, patches or otherimplementation updates 1988, configurations 1994, special-purposecircuit designs 1993, or the like. Such “designs,” for example, mayinclude one or more instances of a mask set definition, a connectivitylayout of one or more gates or other logic elements, anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a multivariate transferfunction, or the like.

Segments of such implementations or their outputs may (optionally) bemanifested one or more information-bearing static attributes comprisingthe device-detectable implementation. Such attributes may, in someembodiments, comprise a concentration or other layout attribute ofmagnetic or charge-bearing elements, visible or other optical elements,or other particles in or on a liquid crystal display or othersolid-containing medium. Solid state data storage modules or other suchstatic media may further comprise one or more instances of lasermarkings, barcodes, human-readable identifiers, or the like, such as toindicate one or more attributes of the device-detectable implementation.Alternatively or additionally such solid state or other solid-containingmedia may include one or more instances of semiconductor devices orother circuitry, magnetic or optical digital storage disks, dynamic orflash random access memories (RAMs), or the like. Magnetoresistive RAMsmay bear larger implementation or output portions or aggregations safelyand efficiently, moreover, and without any need for motors or the likefor positioning the storage medium.

Segments of such implementations or their outputs may likewise bemanifested in electromagnetic signals 1986, laser or other opticalsignals 1991, electrical signals 1992, or the like. In some embodiments,for example, such electrical or electromagnetic signals may include oneor more instances of static or variable voltage levels or other analogvalues, radio frequency transmissions or the like. In some embodiments,the above-mentioned “optical” signals may likewise include one or moreinstances of time- or position-dependent, device-detectable variationsin hue, intensity, or the like. Alternatively or additionally, portionsof such implementations or their outputs may manifest as one or moreinstances of magnetic, magneto-optic, electrostatic, or other physicalconfigurations 1928 of nonvolatile storage media 1926 or as externalimplementation access services 1972.

In some embodiments, physical media can be configured by being “operatedto bear” or “operated upon to bear” a signal. For example, they mayinclude physical media that generate, transmit, conduct, receive, orotherwise convey or store a device-detectable implementation or outputas described herein. Such conveyance or storing of a device-detectableimplementation or output may be carried out in a distributed fashion atvarious times or locations, or such conveyance or storing of adevice-detectable implementation or output may be done at one locationor time. As discussed above, such physical media “operated to bear” or“operated upon to bear” may include physical media that are atypicallyconstituted or adapted to facilitate methods or functions as describedherein.

In some configurations, one or more output devices 1804 may present oneor more results of signaling a decision of which supplemental content touse in supplementing the one or more positions in the playable messagein response to interface(s) 1810 receiving one or more invocations oroutputs of an implementation of this function via linkage 1805. Such an“invocation” may, in some embodiments, comprise one or more instances ofrequests, hardware or software activations, user actions, or otherdeterminants as described herein. In contexts like these, processor 1885or other components of network 1880 may likewise constitute a secondaryimplementation having access to a primary instance of interface 1810implementing methods like flow 200 as described herein.

Serial media 1960 comprises a communication channel of two or more mediaconfigured to bear a transition or other output increment successively.In some embodiments, for example, serial media 1960 may include acommunication line or wireless medium (e.g., as medium 1965) between twosignal-bearing conduits (e.g., terminals or antennas as media 1963,1967). Alternatively or additionally, one or more lenses 1809 or otherlight-transmissive media may comprise a serial medium between alight-transmissive medium and a sensor or other light receiver 1819 ortransmitter 1812. In some embodiments, such “light-transmissive” mediamay (optionally) comprise metamaterials or other media operable forbearing one or more instances of microwave signals, radiowave signals,visible light signals, or the like.

In some embodiments, such a lens may be an optical element that causeslight to converge or diverge along one or more signal paths. Such alight-transmissive medium may include a signal-bearing conduit, glass,or other physical medium through which an optical signal may travel.More generally, a signal-bearing conduit may be an electrical wire, atelecommunications cable, a fiber-optic cable, or a mechanical couplingor other path for the conveyance of analog or digital signals.

Alternatively or additionally, system 1900 may likewise include one ormore instances of media for handling implementations or their outputs:satellite dishes or other reflectors 1817, antennas 1818 or othertransducers 1975, arrays of two or more such devices configured todetect or redirect one or more incoming signals, caching elements orother data-holding elements (e.g., disks 1944, memories 1946, or othermedia 1990), integrated circuits 1808, or the like. In some variants,one or more media may be “configured” to bear a device-detectableimplementation as described herein by being constituted or otherwisespecially adapted for that type of implementation at one or morerespective times, overlapping or otherwise. Such “signal-bearing” mediamay include those configured to bear one or more such signals at varioustimes as well as those currently bearing them.

In some embodiments, such caching elements may comprise a circuit ordevice configured to store data that duplicates original values storedelsewhere or computed earlier in time. For example, a caching elementmay be a temporary storage area where frequently-accessed data may beheld for rapid access by a computing system. A caching element likewisemay be machine-readable memory (including computer-readable media suchas random access memory or data disks). In some embodiments, suchcaching elements may likewise comprise a latching circuit or deviceconfigured to store data that has been modified from original valuesassociated with the data (held elsewhere or computed earlier in time,for example).

In one variant, respective portions 1995, 1996 of an expression 1999 ofimplementation 1907 may be sent through respective channels at varioustimes. Invoker 1912 may request or otherwise attempt to activate acomputer program or streaming media overseas via a telephone cable orother channel 1931. Meanwhile, output 1916 may attempt to trigger asession or other partial implementation 1952, success in which may beindicated by receiving expression 1955 into a visual display or othermedium 1950. Such a program or other implementation may be madecomplete, for example, once both of these attempts succeed.

In some embodiments, transducer(s) 1975 may comprise one or more devicesthat convert a signal from one form to another form. For example, atransducer may be a cathode ray tube that transforms electrical signalsinto visual signals. Another example of a transducer comprises amicroelectromechanical systems (“MEMS”) device, which may be configuredto convert mechanical signals into electrical signals (or vice versa).

Operation 2031 describes obtaining the indication after an entirety ofthe message portion apparently arrives at the first device and at thesecond device (e.g. receiver 1573 receiving a confirmatory message orother signal 1571 from a sending system 720 indicating that one or moreportions of message 795 were addressed and transmitted to two or more ofsystems 740-770, and were thus apparently transmitted concurrently).This may occur, for example, in a context in which message 795 comprisese-mail, a transaction record, or other text-containing content,optionally reciting a distribution list or one or more otherdestinations 796 explicitly. Alternatively or additionally, port 1576may perform operation 2031 by detecting one or more acknowledgments orother indications 1574 of when one or more such systems 740, 750actually received such a portion. In some embodiments, for example, suchan indication 1574 may explicitly recite a transmission time 1577 or mayimplicitly indicate a transmission time (e.g. by collection module 1570operating in a mode 1578 in which the transmission time 1577 is inferredto be within about an hour before the receipt of indication 1574 isdetected). In some variants, for example, collection module 1570 may beconfigured to perform operation 2031 by requesting a status of messageportion 1093 at system 740 via port 1576 in response to an indication ofwhen system 740 received the portion.

Operation 2034 describes obtaining an indication of when the firstdevice apparently received the message portion (e.g. control logic 1620invoking module 1623 for extracting or otherwise obtaining anapproximate or nominal date or time indication 1628 expressing when atransmission of image data portion 1092 to system 720 was apparentlycompleted). This may occur, for example, in a context in which a sourcesystem 780 or intermediary (bearer) of portion 1092 records or otherwisedirectly expresses such an event time indication. Alternatively oradditionally, sensor logic 1626 may infer such information indirectly,such as by detecting when system 720 apparently stopped requestingportion 1092 or started requesting content 1095 instead, in contexts inwhich such requests are repeated.

Operation 2035 describes obtaining a configuration value relating to thesecond device (e.g. configuration module 1590 implementing or receivingone or more values 1592-1593 of a profile 1581 characterizing one ormore systems 750-770). This may occur, for example, in a context inwhich one or more such values 1592 are received directly from a user ordefault configuration in system 760 or hub 790. Alternatively oradditionally, one or more such values 1593 may be received from the“second” device directly or via an intermediary. In some embodiments,such values may help to determine whether or when system 760 may (or maynot) have received portions 1091, 1093. See, e.g., the configurationsexplained herein in conjunction with flow 400 and variants thereof.

Operation 2037 describes presenting at least some of the message portionat a user interface comprising either the first device or the seconddevice (e.g. control logic 1620 invoking module 1622 for causing one ormore speakers or other output devices 1638, 810 to present at least someof one or more portions 1617, 1618 of message 1615). This may occur, forexample, in a context in which the “first” or “second” device merelycomprises an output device or other component of interface module 1640,a wearable item 510, or other apparatus operable for relayinginformation to one or more users. Alternatively or additionally, one ormore such devices may comprise storage or network components such asthose of system 700.

Operation 2082 describes contacting the second device in response to anindication of the first device receiving the message portion from athird device (e.g. processor 1562 invoking module 1524 for notifyingsystem 760 that system 770 has received at least message portion 1551).This may occur, for example, in a context in which system 720 receivesat least that portion 1551 in an overlapping time interval 1541 and/orprovides it to one or more other systems. Alternatively or additionally,module 1524 may likewise be invoked for signaling the decision 1527 toone or more other systems.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for notifying or otherwise communicating with wireless or othernetworked equipment, for example, for responding to interactions amongother devices as described herein without undue experimentation. See,e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,216,144 (“Facilitating negotiations between usersof a computer network through messaging communications enabling userinteraction”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,133,687 (“Delivery of voice data frommultimedia messaging service messages”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,095,833(“System and method for generating call records based on accountcodes”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,036,128 (“Using a community of distributedelectronic agents to support a highly mobile, ambient computingenvironment”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,010,508 (“Automated multimedia dataprocessing network”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,868,544 (“Method and system forgeneral-purpose interactive notifications”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,728,352(“Switch interaction subsystems for facilitating network informationmanagement”); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,457,011 (“Method of updating a shareddatabase in a computer network”).

Operation 2083 describes notifying at least the first device of themessage portion being received at the second device (e.g. processor 1562invoking module 1525 for notifying system 770 at least that one or moreother systems have apparently received message portion 1551). This mayoccur, for example, in a context in which system 1500 comprises anintermediary or one of the “second” systems. Alternatively oradditionally, module 1521 may perform operation 2083 by notifying system760 that it is currently receiving message portion 1552 in a context inwhich system 1500 transmits such content.

Operation 2088 describes establishing a signal path between the firstdevice and the second device in facilitating the signal transfer (e.g.processor 1672 invoking module 1685 for establishing a dedicated channel1655 or some other operable linkage 1650 facilitating communicationbetween respective recipient devices). This may occur, for example, in acontext in which system 1600 automatically becomes a host or similarcoordinating entity creating or arbitrating the linkage(s), optionallywith other systems. Alternatively or additionally, module 1686 mayperform operation 2088 by sending one or more data objects 1692 fromsystem 1600 to one or more other systems. In some embodiments, such dataobjects 1692 may effectively establish one or more such paths, forexample, by determining a mode of return communication.

Operation 2089 describes causing the signal transfer in response to auser authorization (e.g. processor 1672 invoking module 1682 forcontacting user 701 in response to input 708 from user 701 manifestingan apparent desire to signal one or more other users). This may occur,for example, in a context in which user 701 explicitly speaks orotherwise signals a greeting in response to an interface prompt or otheroutput 707 accessible to user 701). Alternatively or additionally,module 1684 may perform operation 2089 automatically pursuant to a priorauthorization from user 701 to invite any proximate recipients into avirtual chatroom or otherwise initiate such contact.

Operation 2132 describes obtaining the indication apparently before thefirst device receives any of the message portion and before the seconddevice receives an entirety of the message portion (e.g. module 1613detecting that at least some systems 760, 770 have apparently not yetreceived one or more message portions 1093, 1094). This may occur, forexample, in a context in which a source or intermediary system hasindicated that a broadcast in progress has not yet reached messageportion 1094. Alternatively or additionally, a hub 790 or otherintermediary may facilitate operation 2132 by indicating, for example,that hub 790 is presently receiving a portion 1093 of which one or moreother potential destination systems 770 have not received any. In someembodiments, such a situation may facilitate more efficient routing, forexample, if hub 790 is much closer to any such destination systems 760,770 than system 710 or some other source.

Operation 2133 describes obtaining an indication that the first deviceand the second device have each apparently received at least some of acommon broadcast (e.g. module 1774 receiving information 1783 from hub790 or other systems 740-760 that system 780 has transmitted at leastsome common content to at least two systems 740-750). This may occur,for example, in a context in which hub 790 or router 1798 routes atleast some of message 795 or other content 1775, 1095 or otherwiseserves as a relay station or other service provider. Alternatively oradditionally, module 1773 may perform operation 2133 by detecting one ormore indirect indications 1784 of such a transmission before or afterthe fact. In some embodiments, for example, such indirect indications1784 may comprise one or more instances of billing records for suchcontent 1775; message headers, source-indicative watermarks, or similardata 1785 embedded in such content 1775; a subsequent presence of suchcontent 1095 at one or more of the systems 740-750; a distribution listindicating such destinations for such content; or the like.

Operation 2138 describes obtaining an indication of the message portionbeing retrieved from storage as the indication of the first devicereceiving the message portion (e.g. module 1772 generating such anindication 1782 pursuant to requesting or retrieving at least content1795 from remote or local storage 1794). This may occur, for example, ina context in which the “first” device comprises playback module 1792 orother devices in network 1790 able to access such storage 1794.Alternatively or additionally, module 1771 may likewise accept such aretrieval event as an indication 1781 of whether or when the “second” orother devices received message portion 1091. In some embodiments, one ormore instances of comparators or other such evaluation logic 178N maythen be used for comparing such indications 1781 with one or moreminimum or maximum thresholds 1715-1717 effectively implementing thetime interval of the “second” device's reception. In some variants, forexample, such a time interval implementation may only signify aneffective beginning, for example, in a case in which the time intervalextends to the moment of comparison. Conversely, a time intervalimplementation may be implemented in other cases merely by applying oneor more thresholds 1716 (with any offsets or other modifiers 1718, forexample) that effectively determine the interval's end.

Operation 2181 describes causing a module to decide whether to enablethe signal transfer partly in response to one or more apparent userpreferences and partly in response to the indication of the first devicereceiving the message portion during the time interval (e.g. processor1672 invoking module 1681 for enabling module 1683 only if user 701expresses a preference to interact with other recipients and if timinglogic 1695 indicates that port 1651 and one or more other recipients'systems 730-740 have apparently received one or more common messageportions 1616, 1617 alternatingly or otherwise during respectiveoverlapping time intervals 1696-1698). This may occur, for example, inembodiments in which primary module 1680 performs operation 480. It mayoccur more frequently, moreover, in a context in which at least one suchportion 1616 has a nominal playback time of longer than an hour, inwhich a large community of users requests such a portion 1617 on anongoing basis, in which such time intervals are defined to be longerthan an hour, or in other such circumstances as described herein.Alternatively or additionally, module 1683 may trigger the signaltransfer(s) immediately, after a fixed delay, or after one or moreadditional criteria are satisfied. In some embodiments, for example,such criteria may include a determination whether one or more portions1616, 1617 have already been replayed at another specific recipient'ssystem, whether the specific recipient has not been blocked or otherwisenegatively reviewed, and/or whether such a message replay has apparentlybeen observed, or in other such logical combinations with othercircumstances described herein.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for detecting selection events or other direct or indirectindicia of users' needs or preferences as described herein without undueexperimentation, in light of teachings herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.7,242,413 (“Methods, systems and computer program products forcontrolling tree diagram graphical user interfaces and/or for partiallycollapsing tree diagrams”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,231,443 (“System allowinguser associating user off-line status messages of selectable contentwith participants on user's authorized access lists”); U.S. Pat. No.7,222,782 (“Cash dispensing automated banking machine with improved userobservation capabilities”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,200,640 (“Continuouslytunable, graphic internet navigation tool”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,194,689(“Generic user control point tool for universal plug and play (UPnP)devices”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,142,205 (“Single gesture map navigationgraphical user interface for a personal digital assistant”); U.S. Pat.No. 7,120,615 (“Neural network system and method for controllinginformation output based on user feedback”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,120,234(“Integrated tone-based and voice-based telephone user interface”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,757,902 (“Computer system for automatically instantiatingtasks designated by a user”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,714,840 (“User-machineinterface system for enhanced interaction”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,317,116(“Graphical click surfaces for force feedback applications to provideselection of functions using cursor interaction with a trigger positionof a graphical object”).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for invoking decision circuitry or the like in response tovarious combinations of event timing and user actions as describedherein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,069,507(“Event routing model for an extensible editor”); U.S. Pat. No.7,031,998 (“Systems and methods for automatically managing workflowbased on optimization of job step scheduling”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,993,681(“Remote administration in a distributed system”); U.S. Pat. No.6,933,685 (“Method and apparatus for controlling lighting based on userbehavior”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,137 (“System and method for businessdecision implementation in a billing environment using decisionoperation trees”); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,261 (“Graphical networksecurity policy management”).

Operation 2185 describes signaling the decision whether to facilitatethe signal transfer responsive to an indication of when the seconddevice received the message portion (e.g. module 1721 responding in amanner contingent on whether the “second” device is apparently behindthe “first” device, in its respective progress through one or moremessage portions 1091-1094). This may occur, for example, in a contextin which system 740 will pause or slow down in response to an indicationthat system 710 apparently began receiving portion 1094 after system 740did. Conversely, system 740 may undergo operation 2185 by jumpingforward or speeding up its playback in response to an indication thatsystem 760 is apparently somewhat more advanced in its playbackprogress. Alternatively or additionally, such adjustments may beperformed automatically or only after notifying or requestingauthorization therefor from respective recipients. Alternatively oradditionally, module 1723 may be invoked for notifying one or more suchrecipients of one or more somewhat contemporaneous delivery or playbackevents of one or more common message portions 151K, optionally includingone or more quantitative expressions 1731 of differences in progress. Insome embodiments, for example, such expressions 1731 may take the formof a number or graphical size, optionally expressed in a common image1730 with one or more other expressions 1732 of an apparently preferredlanguage, an affiliation, a geographical location, a user identifier, orsome other information relating to such other recipient(s).

Operation 2186 describes manifesting the signal transfer as a firstsignal to the first device responsive to receiving a second signal fromthe second device (e.g. processor 1562 invoking module 1526 fortransmitting an invitation or other “first” signal 1571 to system 760directly or indirectly in response to a request, notice, or other“second” signal 1572 from system 750). This may occur, for example, in acontext in which hub 790 or system 710 implements system 1500, in whichcollection module 1570 performs operation 430, and in which at leastprocessor 1562 and primary module 1520 jointly perform operation 480.

Operation 2187 describes facilitating at least a partial synchronizationbetween the first device and the second device (e.g. processor 1562invoking module 1522 for delaying a presentation in a “leading” system740, conditionally or otherwise). This may occur, for example, in acontext in which a user or administrator thereof has expressed apreference for such synchronization, in which such synchronizationsoccur system-wide as a matter of course, in which such replay neverproceeds in the absence of such synchronization, or in other suchcircumstances or combinations of circumstances. Alternatively oradditionally, processor 1562 may likewise invoke module 1523 forperforming operation 2187 by facilitating an acceleration of apresentation in a “trailing” system 750, conditionally or otherwise. Insome embodiments, for example, such accelerations may be implemented bya “gentle” replay speed adjustment (of about 10% or less) and/or byclosing the gap by foregoing some detour or otherwise jumping ahead(closer to a “leading” system's current replay position, for example).

Operation 2211 describes causing one or more sensors to detect at leastthe environmental-regularity-indicative data from the environment (e.g.processor 1162 invoking module 1181 for actuating one or more instancesof sensor module 549 to capture at least some ERI data 561 fromenvironment 505). This may occur, for example, in a context in whichsystem 710 implements system 1100 within system 500 or logic 547,including at least such an instance of processor 1162 and module 1181.Alternatively or additionally, one or more input devices 820 may beconfigured to perform operation 2211, such as by activating one or moresensors in environment 805 in response to user 801 beginning anactivity.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring, triggering, or otherwise causing sensors todetect data indicative of cheating or other events in a user'senvironment as described herein without undue experimentation. See,e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,237,717 (“Secure system for electronic voting”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,206 (“Self-authentication of value documents usingdigital signatures”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,999,714 (“Test administrationsystem using the internet”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,976,269 (“Internetco-location facility security system”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,961,482 (“Systemfor archiving electronic images of test question responses”); U.S. Pat.No. 6,615,020 (“Computer-based instructional system with studentverification feature”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,444 (“Interactive multimediavirtual classes requiring small online network bandwidth”); and U.S.Pat. No. 5,915,973 (“System for administration of remotely-proctored,secure examinations and methods therefore”).

Operation 2213 describes configuring theenvironmental-regularity-indicative data to include at least anindication of a user wearing one or more sensors (e.g. logic 547 orsystem 500 invoking module 1182 for detecting whether or when user 501is wearing an earpiece, badge, sensor module 549, antenna, wristband, orsimilar item incorporating a sensor of some kind) This may occur, forexample, in a context in which sensor module 549 is configured to detectone or more of a living person's body temperature, a device-detectablehuman heartbeat, a pressure or conductivity indication, or some similarindication that an item is in proximity to a person. Such sensor modulesmay incorporate a variety of existing sensors operable, for example, fordetecting one or more of pressure, temperature, force, deflection,proximity, or similar physical conditions. Alternatively oradditionally, a microphone, camera, or other sensor 806 may performoperation 2213 by capturing a visual, audible, or other indication thatsuch a sensor is being worn (in item 1066, for example), with or withoutsuch a sensor being activated. In some embodiments, for example, asimilar wearable item may be used for sensing whether a person who isdetained in a workplace or home is still within a facility as required.

Operation 2217 describes accepting an image that includes more than onekilobyte of image data from an eye of a user (e.g. extraction logic 745invoking module 742 for generating a large-enough image by keeping oneor more ocular portions 1011, 1012 of image data 1080). This may occur,for example, in a context in which such data constitutes some or all ofthe environmental-regularity-indicative data, and in which such aninvocation causes the accepted image data to be locally accessible(e.g., located in memory 1173 or storage 1174, in some embodiments). Insome contexts, alternatively or additionally, extraction logic 745 mayinvoke module 744 for performing operation 2217 by extracting a onemegabyte or larger image portion (portion 974 in grayscale or colorformat, for example, extracted from frontal image 973). Alternatively oradditionally, two or more frames each having less than one kilobyte ofocular data may be aggregated with a sampling period of about one secondor less. Although such data may currently be computationally intensiveto combine effectively into higher-resolution images on a large scale,archiving such data for potential future use may permit currentirregularities to be detected in the future, and may thus also provideeffective current deterrence.

Operation 2218 describes accepting environmental-regularity-indicativedata distilled so that at least 2% of image data thereof consists ofocular data (e.g. extraction logic 745 invoking module 741 for receivingsuch content). This may be accomplished by cropping, for example, evenin a context in which a smaller fraction of pre-distillation image datais ocular data, whether or not any image recognition logic is used forverifying the content of any image data. In some variants, alternativelyor additionally, receiver 1140 may perform operation 2218 by acceptingsuch distilled environmental-regularity-indicative data from a camera orother remote source. Logic 547 may likewise perform operation 2218internally by distilling raw image data from sensor module 549 such asby data compression or similar techniques for discarding redundant orother unwanted components. Such embodiments may be particularly useful,for example, in contexts in which linkage 555 is bandwidth-limited or inwhich some other resource capacity in item 510 is running low. In somevariants, sensor module 549 may be configured to include a camerapositioned within about 5 centimeters of a user's eye, and positioned sothat image data of a higher ocular content (10% or more, for example)may be achieved with little or no processing. In some embodiments,fractions of data described herein may be expressed in terms of ratiosof bits. Any such thresholds may likewise be applied to pixel counts orother areal units, however, within the scope and spirit of theseteachings.

Operation 2252 describes configuring the distillation recording of theenvironmental-regularity-indicative data to include at least dataarising from a first sensor distinct from data arising from a secondsensor (e.g. processor 1162 invoking module 1133 for converting raw data1143 from a sensor into distilled data 1141 and module 1135 forconverting raw data 1145 from one or more other sensors into distilleddata 1147). This may occur, for example, in a context in which processor1162 invokes module 1138 for invoking two or more other modules1131-1139 (in alternation, in succession, in parallel, or otherwise).Alternatively or additionally, extractor 571 may be configured toperform operation 2252 by invoking module 566 for including at leastsome of each such raw data 1143, 1145 inenvironmental-regularity-indicative data 561. This may occur, forexample, in a context in which extractor 571 may receive data from morethan one sensor implemented in sensor module 549 or in which extractor571 implements at least some of primary module 1130 as shown in FIG. 11.

Operation 2254 describes causing some of theenvironmental-regularity-indicative data from a testing session to bepreserved responsive to a correct portion of theuser-response-indicative data from the testing session (e.g. processor1162 invoking module 1132 for preserving data 1112-1115 arising shortlybefore, after, or among one or more automatically-graded exam answers1123-1124 determined by module 1136 to be correct). This may occur, forexample, in a context in which a large amount of raw ERI data 1110 isinitially aggregated with answers or other URI data 1120, and in which aselection of which segments of ERI data to preserve depends partly orwholly on which roughly-contemporaneous segments of URI data were morethan 70% correct. Alternatively or additionally, module 1132 may beconfigured to discard more than 90% of raw ERI data 1110 in response tomodule 1134 determining that a user has failed an exam or exam sectionby a margin of more than 5%.

Operation 2259 describes causing a remote system to preserve at leastthe distillation recording of the environmental-regularity-indicativedata after processing a prior recording of theenvironmental-regularity-indicative data from the environment (e.g.processor 1162 invoking module 965 of FIG. 9 or module 1687 of FIG. 16remotely for storing output 1146 resulting from one or more portions ofprimary module 1130 processing ERI data 1110 from one or more priorsessions). This may occur, for example, irrespective of whether theinvoked module(s) are implemented locally to processor 1162, near anypart of primary module 1130, or elsewhere. Alternatively oradditionally, logic 547 may be configured to perform operation 2259,such as by pre-processing and then transmitting the distillation to aninstance of system 500 that is remote from item 510. In someembodiments, item 510 may be shipped back after a responsiveinteraction, for example, for uploading the distilled responses or otherresult to a central instance of system 500, optionally with the relatedERI data or distillation.

For such applications, sensor module 549 may include a charge-coupleddevice (CCD), microphone, or other sensors operable for effectivelyextracting a user's answers as well as regularity indications. In someinstances, moreover, common raw data may serve as both ERI data 561 andURI data 562. In a context in which raw data 1144 includes one-megabyteimages taken each second, for example, a suitable URI distillationrecording may include a final score or just a last image of each page ofthe user's writing. A suitable ERI distillation recording from module1130 may include a sampling of one or more images arbitrarily selectedsomewhere in a testing session, with the sample times optionally unknownto the user.

Operation 2312 describes accepting a first image from a first vantage inthe environment and a second image from a second vantage in theenvironment in the environmental-regularity-indicative data (e.g.handling logic 1170 accepting at least two segments 1071-1073 as firstand second images provided from different sensors via port 1155). Suchimages may, for example, include one or more instances of frontal images973; ocular portions 1011, 1012 of an image as images; over-the-shoulderimages 1060; top views; or other image data 1080 such as side views (seeFIG. 8) obtained from more than one vantage. Alternatively oradditionally, two or more such images from different vantages may beobtained from a mobile optical sensor such as a camera phone, securitycamera, or the like. In some such variants, moreover, a sensor module549 on wearable item 510 may include one or more optical sensorsoperable for transmitting images from various vantages.

Operation 2314 describes configuring theenvironmental-regularity-indicative data to include at leastgeographic-position-indicative data and other sensor data (e.g.extraction circuitry 745 invoking module 743 for including one or morelocation indices 731, 732 and other roughly contemporaneous measurementdata 733 in ERI data 735 or ERI data 561). This may occur, for example,in a context in which a local global positioning device (GPS) 729, alocal hub, a mobile device 728, or some other reliable device providesone or more of a city or facility name, a longitude and latitude, orsimilar geographical information to an instance of system 500implementing system 700. Alternatively or additionally, ERI data 561 maybe configured to include one or more instances of sensor data 734received from wearable items 510, 1066 or from stationary microphones,cameras, or other sensors 806, 727.

Operation 2316 describes configuring theenvironmental-regularity-indicative data to include at least anindication of whether a user wears one or more devices (e.g. extractionlogic 745 invoking at least module 965 for accepting one or more frontalor other images or auditory content 983 that may indicate a presence orabsence of articles on a user's person). This may occur, for example, ina context in which access to such articles is forbidden during asession, or in which such access is restricted to certain uses. In someembodiments, for example, an examinee or other participant may bepermitted to wear a calculator watch but not to use it for calculations.Alternatively or additionally, a participant upon whom faint vocal-rangesounds may be heard may warrant a higher sound-sampling rate to archivesuch sound data, for at least some of an interactive session, optionallyvia a sensor of earpiece 543. (Later scrutiny of audio or image data mayshow that such sounds were produced by a hearing aid, for example, or byunauthorized communications with an accomplice.) In another context,image data may be used to verify whether a user's goggles or otherthen-required items stayed on throughout a session.

Operation 2353 describes distilling a first fraction >X of theenvironmental-regularity-indicative data from a first portion of animage and a second fraction <X of theenvironmental-regularity-indicative data from a second portion of theimage for one or more values of X (e.g. processor 1162 invoking module1139 for retaining more than 10% of ocular data and less than 5% ofauditory data). This may occur, for example, in a context in which X isany value in the range of 0.05 to 0.10. Alternatively or additionally,processor 1162 may invoke module 1137 for retaining periodic samples ata higher rate for a first data feed and at a lower rate for a seconddata feed.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for preferentially retaining or otherwise processing digital orother data in a manner tending to provide a useful sampling, indexing,summary, or other effectively distilled environmental indicator asdescribed herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.7,203,620 (“Summarization of video content”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,167,853(“Matching and compensation tests for optimizing correlated subquerieswithin query using automatic summary tables”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,970,462(“Method for high speed packet classification”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,956,904(“Summarizing videos using motion activity descriptors correlated withaudio features”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,941,513 (“System and method for textstructuring and text generation”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,816,884 (“System andmethod for creating conversationally-styled summaries from digestingemail messages”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,180 (“Method for searching inlarge databases of automatically recognized text”); U.S. Pat. No.6,571,020 (“Introducing reduced dataset information into a primary imagedataset”); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,385,604 (“Relational database managementsystem having integrated non-relational multi-dimensional data store ofaggregated data elements”).

Operation 2355 describes causing an association between timing data andauditory data of some of the environmental-regularity-indicative data tobe preserved (e.g. processor 1162 invoking timing logic 1190 forretaining segment boundary markers or other periodic timing indicatorsin audio data 971). This may occur, for example, in a context in whichone or more parts of primary module 1130 perform operation 650 jointlywith timing logic 1190. Alternatively or additionally, such anassociation may be preserved by mapping answer timing data or other datafrom audible phenomena to a corresponding position in the audio clip.(In other embodiments, auditory samples may be taken at arbitraryintervals or other asynchronous events and preserved without anyassociated timing data.)

Operation 2358 describes extracting one or more non-ocular portions ofimage data from the environmental-regularity-indicative data from theenvironment (e.g. processor 1162 invoking module 1152 for systematicallypreserving one or more instances of non-ocular portions 1014 and/ordiscarding other non-ocular portion 1015 of image data 1080). This mayoccur, for example, in a context in which local irregularities portionsin image data 1080 (indicative of writing, for example, or otherquestionable material 1063 in an environment) may warrant preservinghigher resolution. Alternatively or additionally, processor 1162 mayinvoke filter module 1151 for discarding or consolidating solid portionsof images (e.g. those having no intensity gradients larger than 5% perpixel).

Operation 2444 describes accepting information about the one or morepositions at a message supplementation system (e.g. input processingmodule 1210 invoking module 1212 for establishing one or more instancesof segment numbers or other position identifiers 1281, 1282 in responseto input 1202 from an editor, composer, or other user). This may occur,for example, in a context in which more than one user may each provideone or more pointers or other segment access objects 1222, 1232 tosupplement a respective location 1221, 1231 in the playable message(s).Alternatively or additionally, input processing module 1210 may performoperation 2444 by receiving deletion markers, content highlighting, orother information 1206 about one or more positions in message 795(identified by one or more fields 1243, for example).

Operation 2447 describes obtaining a relationship at least between theone or more positions and one or more past event dates (e.g. databasemanager 1280 invoking module 1289 for configuring record 1240 toindicate one or more instances of session dates 1242 and/or positions1243 within message 1090 or other content 1095). This may occur, forexample, in a context in which some or all of record 1240 is received asor within a common message 1205. Alternatively or additionally, inputprocessing module 1210 may perform operation 2447 by invoking module1211 for configuring one or more fields 1241-1244 of record 1240 inresponse to user input 1203.

Operation 2449 describes obtaining one or more user identifiers in theindication of the playback system configuration (e.g. coordinationmodule 1340 receiving one or more identifiers 1344 in association withone or more attributes 1381 of configuration 1321). This may occur, forexample, in a context in which an implementation of such attributesrequires that an identified requester be authorized and/or in which suchuser tracking is desirable for accountability in a multi-userenvironment. Alternatively or additionally, administration module 1320may invoke module 1321 for permitting some users to perform functionsincluding such configuration changes.

Operation 2462 describes interleaving one or more supplemental contentsegments between a first message portion and a second message portion ofthe playable message (e.g. processor 1472 invoking module 142Bconfigured to insert one or more data segments 1073 or other itemsbetween portion 1091 and portion 1094 of message 1090). This may occur,for example, in a context in which message 1090 constitutes a verypopular or otherwise excellent presentation of which a directlypreceding portion 1091, a portion 1092 that may be superseded, or asucceeding portion 1094 has become outdated or otherwise problematic. Insome instances, various contributors may provide a succession ofcompeting or other respective versions of inserted segments, of proposeddeletions, or even of other sequence changes. In some embodiments, aplayback system configuration may specify that such situations beaddressed according to one or more selectable protocols 1481, 1482. Adefault protocol may stop a message presentation after presentingportion 1091, for example, and offer a recipient a choice between two ormore options each described by its respective option attributes. Anotherprotocol may cause the playback system always to choose the shortest,longest, or newest of the available supplementation options, forexample, avoiding the need to stop the presentation. Another protocolmay cause the playback system always to choose one of the options(according to an arbitrary or preliminary protocol, for example) andsimultaneously to indicate that another supplementation option isavailable (on a display screen, for example) for selection by a user.

Operation 2463 describes causing one or more systems to be configuredusing at least the playback system configuration (e.g. module 1311configuring playback system 1370 and/or a playback module of system 750according to profile 1333). This may occur, for example, in a context inwhich playback system 1370 (implemented as system 710, for example)comprises a computer, telephone, or other general-purpose device inwhich one or more playback features are implemented via special-purposesoftware. Alternatively or additionally, system 1310 may be configuredto install or otherwise select one or more such features in response toa user buying a membership, a performance, a license, a subscription, orsome other item featuring access to the playable message.

Operation 2467 describes receiving one or more content types of one ormore supplemental content segments (e.g. database manager 1280 invokingmodule 1291 for accepting one or more categories 1260 in relation to atleast content segment 765). This may occur, for example, in a context inwhich such categories 1260 identify one or more instances of lengths1261, ratings 1262, recommenders 1263, providers 1264, subjects 1265,languages 1267, levels 1268, or other type descriptors of each suchsupplemental content segment in its context. Alternatively oradditionally, evaluation logic 1280 may be provided for evaluating size1298 or other such information relating to some such segments. In someembodiments.

Operation 2468 describes accepting the decision from a user (e.g.processor 1472 invoking module 1446 for accepting the decision 1463 ofwhich supplemental content 1441, 1443 to use embodied in one or moreuser preference expressions 1467). This may occur, for example, in acontext in which system 740 implements system 1400, in which module 1446causes one or more users to be queried in response to encountering morethan one option (in selecting supplemental content 1443 or content 1441,for example) available for use at one or more positions in message 795.Alternatively or additionally, protocol implementation logic 1480 asdescribed herein may be configured to implement such decisions morebroadly, optionally circumventing any need for such user decisions insome or all subsequent circumstances.

Operation 2543 describes causing a presentation to exclude a portion ofthe playable message at least in response to the indication of theplayback system configuration (e.g. configuration module 1270 invokingmodule 1274 for queuing or otherwise triggering a presentation ofmessage 1090 at system 730 without portion 1092 in response to one ormore putative attributes of system 730). This may occur in a context inwhich hub 790 or some other system provides such attributes, forexample, at an initial configuration, at regular or arbitrary intervals,just before the presentation, while a preceding portion 1091 of message1090 is being transmitted or presented, or at other times as describedherein. Alternatively or additionally, such a playback systemconfiguration 1277 may combine one or more group-specific attributes1272 with at least a system-specific attribute 1271, each of which mayaffect a composite filter 1273 to be applied to one or more successivemessage portions 1094 under consideration.

Operation 2546 describes obtaining an association between the playbacksystem configuration and one or more specific systems (e.g.administration module 1320 invoking module 1322 for implementing aselection from a set of profiles 1331-1333 adoptable by playback system1370 or other systems having playback functionality). This may occur,for example, in a context in which one such profile 1332 is a defaultassigned to all systems in a group until some other profile 1331, 1333is specified for a given system. Alternatively or additionally, module1322 may be implemented to perform operation 2546 by assigning one ormore default parameters or profiles 1333 in response to one or moreattributes 139X of each playback system added to a group. In somecontexts, this may enable any playback system in which a user identifiesa group affiliation, for example, to play back content according to oneor more attributes defined for that group.

Operation 2548 describes causing the playback system to receive at leasta portion of the playable message responsive to the playback systemconfiguration (e.g. filter 1284 invoking module 1288 for forwarding ormarking portion 1093 of message 1090 for use by system 710 in responseto portion 1093 passing one or more criteria 1283 used for system 710).This may occur, for example, in a context in which a content source orhub 790 includes at least an instance of filter 1284 configured to checkcontent in this manner on behalf of system 710. Alternatively oradditionally, some or all portions 1093 of another message 795 may notbe routed to system 710 in response to failing the one or more criteria1283. See operation 2543 as described above, for example. In someembodiments, such criteria may require or forbid the message to includeone or more instances of markings or audience-specific subject matter,for example. Alternatively or additionally, the one or more criteria1283 may require or otherwise favor specific formats, sizes,authorships, or other such considerations, any of which may be takeninto account in light of teachings herein.

Operation 2565 describes accessing at least some information about afirst content segment from a first system and some information about asecond content segment from a second system (e.g. processor 1472invoking module 1449 for configuring presentation sequence 1490 toinclude respective pointers 1491, 1492 to or samples 1493, 1494 from oneor more segments 725 resident at system 720 and one or more segments 765resident in system 760). This may occur, for example, in a context inwhich some such content need not always be retrieved upon signaling.Efficiencies may be gained in such configurations if such data retrievalmay be performed in a background or batch mode, for example.Alternatively or additionally, module 1449 may perform operation 2565 bycontrolling the flow of selected supplemental content during thepresentation(s) of the playable message(s). Alternatively oradditionally, in some contexts, module 1449 may be configured to accesspointers, samples, or other information relating to such segments 725,765 (from system 720 or hub 790, for example). Such information may beuseful, for example, in ranking or otherwise evaluating such segmentsbefore obtaining them as described herein.

Operation 2567 describes applying one or more content selection criteriato an inventory of available content in selecting one or moresupplemental content segments (e.g. processor 1472 invoking module 1447for selecting a message segment or other supplemental content as“acceptable” or “best” within inventory 1450 or other availableinventories using one or more ranking criteria 1422 that pertain to oneor more specific playback systems). This may occur, for example, in acontext in which more than one item 1451, 1453 of supplemental contentare related to subject matter identified within or near the one or morepositions of a message 795 to be supplemented and in which the rankingcriteria 1422 arise from a history 1465 of a specific user's behaviors,explicit choices 1468, and/or other manifestations 1460 of preferencesas described herein. Alternatively or additionally, module 1448 mayperform operation 2567 on behalf of a human or automatic contentaggregator in identifying suitable content to supplement message 795. Insome embodiments, for example, module 1448 may comprise a compositionassistant able to search a library for content that is topically relatedto a message component or other content in playback automatically, whichmay help a recipient/composer to sift content effectively enough toidentify inventory that is suitable for use as supplemental content.

Operation 2569 describes configuring one or more content selectioncriteria using at least some of the playback system configuration (e.g.module 1312 activating one or more content filters 1343, 1353 eachspecified by a respective attribute 1381, 1382 of configuration 1380).This may occur, for example, in a context in which a default or otherselection was made earlier in response to respective information 1342,1352 about such content filters. Alternatively or additionally, one ormore such content filters 1353 may permit one or more instances ofsuperseding inclusion criteria 1341 or exclusion criteria 1351 to bespecified by a system administrator or other user. In some embodiments,such criteria 1341, 1351 may specify and govern which providers' contentwill be accepted, the size or other resource allocation associated withthe supplemental content, existing permissions to use the content, orother criteria as described herein.

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that thevarious aspects described herein which can be implemented, individuallyand/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, orany combination thereof can be viewed as being composed of various typesof “electrical circuitry.” Consequently, as used herein “electricalcircuitry” includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry havingat least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having atleast one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least oneapplication specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming ageneral purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g.,a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which atleast partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein,or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at leastpartially carries out processes and/or devices described herein),electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of randomaccess memory), and/or electrical circuitry forming a communicationsdevice (e.g., a modem, communications switch, or optical-electricalequipment). Those having skill in the art will recognize that thesubject matter described herein may be implemented in an analog ordigital fashion or some combination thereof.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the artto describe devices and/or processes in the fashion set forth herein,and thereafter use engineering practices to integrate such describeddevices and/or processes into image processing systems. That is, atleast a portion of the devices and/or processes described herein can beintegrated into an image processing system via a reasonable amount ofexperimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize that atypical image processing system generally includes one or more of asystem unit housing, a video display device, a memory such as volatileand non-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors and digitalsignal processors, computational entities such as operating systems,drivers, and applications programs, one or more interaction devices,such as a touch pad or screen, control systems including feedback loopsand control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing lens position and/orvelocity; control motors for moving/distorting lenses to give desiredfocuses. A typical image processing system may be implemented utilizingany suitable commercially available components, such as those typicallyfound in digital still systems and/or digital motion systems.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the artto describe devices and/or processes in the fashion set forth herein,and thereafter use engineering practices to integrate such describeddevices and/or processes into data processing systems. That is, at leasta portion of the devices and/or processes described herein can beintegrated into a data processing system via a reasonable amount ofexperimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize that atypical data processing system generally includes one or more of asystem unit housing, a video display device, a memory such as volatileand non-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors and digitalsignal processors, computational entities such as operating systems,drivers, graphical user interfaces, and applications programs, one ormore interaction devices, such as a touch pad or screen, and/or controlsystems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback forsensing position and/or velocity; control motors for moving and/oradjusting components and/or quantities). A typical data processingsystem may be implemented utilizing any suitable commercially availablecomponents, such as those typically found in datacomputing/communication and/or network computing/communication systems.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the artto implement devices and/or processes and/or systems in the fashion(s)set forth herein, and thereafter use engineering and/or businesspractices to integrate such implemented devices and/or processes and/orsystems into more comprehensive devices and/or processes and/or systems.That is, at least a portion of the devices and/or processes and/orsystems described herein can be integrated into other devices and/orprocesses and/or systems via a reasonable amount of experimentation.Those having skill in the art will recognize that examples of such otherdevices and/or processes and/or systems might include—as appropriate tocontext and application—all or part of devices and/or processes and/orsystems of (a) an air conveyance (e.g., an airplane, rocket, hovercraft,helicopter, etc.), (b) a ground conveyance (e.g., a car, truck,locomotive, tank, armored personnel carrier, etc.), (c) a building(e.g., a home, warehouse, office, etc.), (d) an appliance (e.g., arefrigerator, a washing machine, a dryer, etc.), (e) a communicationssystem (e.g., a networked system, a telephone system, a Voice over IPsystem, etc.), (f) a business entity (e.g., an Internet Service Provider(ISP) entity such as Comcast Cable, Quest, Southwestern Bell, etc), or(g) a wired/wireless services entity such as Sprint, Cingular, Nextel,etc.), etc.

One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein describedcomponents (e.g., steps), devices, and objects and the discussionaccompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptualclarity and that various configuration modifications are within theskill of those in the art. Consequently, as used herein, the specificexemplars set forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to berepresentative of their more general classes. In general, use of anyspecific exemplar herein is also intended to be representative of itsclass, and the non-inclusion of such specific components (e.g., steps),devices, and objects herein should not be taken as indicating thatlimitation is desired.

Although users 191, 501, 701, 801 are shown/described herein each as asingle illustrated figure, those skilled in the art will appreciate thatsuch users may be representative of a human user, a robotic user (e.g.,computational entity), and/or substantially any combination thereof(e.g., a user may be assisted by one or more robotic agents). Inaddition, each such user, as set forth herein, although shown as asingle entity may in fact be composed of two or more entities. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that, in general, the same may besaid of “sender” and/or other entity-oriented terms as such terms areused herein.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates differentcomponents contained within, or connected with, different othercomponents. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures aremerely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can beimplemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense,any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality iseffectively “associated” such that the desired functionality isachieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve aparticular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each othersuch that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective ofarchitectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components soassociated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or“operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality,and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewedas being “operably couplable”, to each other to achieve the desiredfunctionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but arenot limited to physically mateable and/or physically interactingcomponents and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interactingcomponents and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactablecomponents.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described hereinhave been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from the subject matter described hereinand its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are toencompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as arewithin the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein.Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by theappended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, ingeneral, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g.,bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms(e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but notlimited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having atleast,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but isnot limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those withinthe art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation isintended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and inthe absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example,as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may containusage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” tointroduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should notbe construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by theindefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containingsuch introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood toinclude the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art willappreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed inany order. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping,interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory,supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unlesscontext dictates otherwise. With respect to context, even terms like“responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives aregenerally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictatesotherwise.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scopeand spirit being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: circuitry configured forreceiving an identification of one or more positions associated with acontent and an identification of at least one playback system, includingat least receiving a request for playback of the content to the at leastone playback system, the request including at least one indication of atime segment for start of the playback of the content at the at leastone playback system; circuitry configured for encountering more than oneoption available for use at the one or more positions associated withthe content, the more than one option including at least one or moresupplemental content segments associated with an inventory of availablecontent as one or more supplemental items; circuitry configured forobtaining a selection of at least one supplemental item to use insupplementing the one or more positions associated with the contentresponsive to the identification of at least one playback system and inresponse to encountering more than one option available for use at theone or more positions associated with the content, the selection atleast in part based on at least one category associated with at leastone user assumed to be operating the at least one playback system; andcircuitry configured for signaling a decision of the at least onesupplemental item to use in supplementing the one or more positionsassociated with the content based at least in part on the obtainedselection, including at least presenting the at least one supplementalitem in association with the one or more positions associated with thecontent during playback of the content, wherein one or more portions ofthe at least one supplemental item are at least one of played previousto one or more portions of the content, played subsequent to one or moreportions of the content, interleaved with one or more portions of thecontent, overlaid over one or more portions of the content, or renderedin proximity to one or more portions of the content during playback ofthe one or more portions of content.
 2. A system, comprising: circuitryconfigured for providing an inventory of network-available content,including at least one or more playable messages and one or moresupplemental content segments, a supplemental content segmentcorresponding to a playable message in a specific format associated witha type of playback system; circuitry configured for receiving anidentification of one or more positions associated with a content and anidentification of at least one playback system, including at leastreceiving an identification of a current replay position of at least oneplayable message received by the at least one playback system; circuitryconfigured for encountering more than one option available for use atthe one or more positions associated with the content, the more than oneoption including a plurality of supplemental content segmentscorresponding to the at least one playable message, the plurality ofsupplemental content segments available in the inventory ofnetwork-available content in a plurality of specific formats associatedwith a plurality of types of playback systems; circuitry configured forobtaining a selection of at least one supplemental item to use insupplementing the one or more positions associated with the contentresponsive to the identification of at least one playback system and inresponse to encountering more than one option available for use at theone or more positions associated with the content, including at leastselecting, from the inventory of network-available content, at least onesupplemental content segment in a specific format as the at least onesupplemental item for the at least one playback system at leastpartially based on one or more criteria favoring one or more specificformats in association with one or more types of playback systems; andcircuitry configured for signaling a decision of the at least onesupplemental item to use in supplementing the one or more positionsassociated with the content based at least in part on the obtainedselection, including at least causing the at least one supplementalcontent segment in the specific format to be transmitted as streamingcontent to the at least one playback system via at least one networkconnection.
 3. A system, comprising: circuitry configured for receivingan identification of one or more positions associated with a content andan identification of at least one playback system; circuitry configuredfor encountering more than one option available for use at the one ormore positions associated with the content; circuitry configured forobtaining a selection of at least one supplemental item to use insupplementing the one or more positions associated with the contentresponsive to the identification of at least one playback system and inresponse to encountering more than one option available for use at theone or more positions associated with the content; and circuitryconfigured for signaling a decision of the at least one supplementalitem to use in supplementing the one or more positions associated withthe content based at least in part on the obtained selection.
 4. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein circuitry configured for receiving anidentification of one or more positions associated with a content and anidentification of at least one playback system comprises: circuitryconfigured for receiving an identification of one or more times withinone or more audiovisual streams and an identification of at least oneplayback system.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein circuitry configuredfor receiving an identification of one or more times within one or moreaudiovisual streams and an identification of at least one playbacksystem comprises: circuitry configured for receiving an identificationof one or more times associated with beginning or ending of one or moreportions of interest of the one or more audiovisual streams and anidentification of at least one playback system.
 6. The system of claim3, wherein circuitry configured for receiving an identification of oneor more positions associated with a content and an identification of atleast one playback system comprises: circuitry configured for receivingan identification of one or more positions associated with a content andone or more indications of one or more mobile devices associated with atleast one of capture or playback of the content.
 7. The system of claim3, wherein circuitry configured for receiving an identification of oneor more positions associated with a content and an identification of atleast one playback system comprises: circuitry configured for receivingan identification of one or more times within one or more audiovisualstreams and one or more indications of one or more mobile devicesassociated with at least one of capture or playback of the content. 8.The system of claim 3, wherein circuitry configured for receiving anidentification of one or more positions associated with a content and anidentification of at least one playback system comprises: circuitryconfigured for receiving an identification of one or more portions ofone or more frames of one or more audiovisual streams and anidentification of at least one playback system.
 9. The system of claim8, wherein circuitry configured for receiving an identification of oneor more portions of one or more frames of one or more audiovisualstreams and an identification of at least one playback system comprises:circuitry configured for receiving an identification of at least one ofone or more x-coordinates, one or more y-coordinates, or one or morepixel locations related to one or more frames of one or more audiovisualstreams and an identification of at least one playback system.
 10. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein circuitry configured for encountering morethan one option available for use at the one or more positionsassociated with the content comprises: circuitry configured forencountering at least two audiovisual segments available for insertioninto the content at the one or more positions associated with thecontent.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein circuitry configured forencountering at least two audiovisual segments available for insertioninto the content at the one or more positions associated with thecontent comprises: circuitry configured for encountering at least afirst option for insertion of one or more audiovisual portions capturedby a front-facing camera and a second option for insertion of one ormore audiovisual portions captured by a rear-facing camera at the one ormore positions associated with the content.
 12. The system of claim 11,wherein circuitry configured for encountering at least a first optionfor insertion of one or more audiovisual portions captured by afront-facing camera and a second option for insertion of one or moreaudiovisual portions captured by a rear-facing camera at the one or morepositions associated with the content comprises: circuitry configuredfor encountering at least a first option for insertion of one or moreaudiovisual portions captured by a front-facing camera and a secondoption for insertion of one or more audiovisual portions captured by arear-facing camera at the one or more positions associated with thecontent, wherein the one or more audiovisual portions are superimposedover at least a portion of the content at one or more pixel locationsassociated with the content.
 13. The system of claim 3, whereincircuitry configured for encountering more than one option available foruse at the one or more positions associated with the content comprises:circuitry configured for encountering more than one option available foruse at the one or more positions associated with the content, the morethan one option including at least some video, at least some text, atleast some speech, or at least some emoticons.
 14. The system of claim3, wherein circuitry configured for obtaining a selection of at leastone supplemental item to use in supplementing the one or more positionsassociated with the content responsive to the identification of at leastone playback system and in response to encountering more than one optionavailable for use at the one or more positions associated with thecontent comprises: circuitry configured for prompting a user to providethe selection of at least one supplemental item, including at leastprompting the user to provide at least one input indicative of at leastone video capture device for capturing at least one audiovisual streamfor supplementing the one or more positions associated with the content.15. The system of claim 3, wherein circuitry configured for obtaining aselection of at least one supplemental item to use in supplementing theone or more positions associated with the content responsive to theidentification of at least one playback system and in response toencountering more than one option available for use at the one or morepositions associated with the content comprises: circuitry configuredfor prompting a user to provide a selection of at least one element foruse in modifying the content.
 16. The system of claim 15, whereincircuitry configured for prompting a user to provide a selection of atleast one element for use in modifying the content comprises: circuitryconfigured for prompting the user to provide a selection of at least onesupplemental audiovisual stream to insert into the content at or nearthe one or more positions associated with the content, the one or morepositions including at least one or more times within the content forinsertion of the at least one supplemental audiovisual stream.
 17. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein circuitry configured for prompting a user toprovide a selection of at least one element for use in modifying thecontent comprises: circuitry configured for prompting the user toprovide at least some text to overlay of the content at or near the oneor more positions associated with the content, the one or more positionsincluding at least one or more times within the content for insertion ofthe at least some text.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein circuitryconfigured for prompting a user to provide a selection of at least oneelement for use in modifying the content comprises: circuitry configuredfor prompting the user to provide at least some text to overlay of thecontent at or near the one or more positions associated with thecontent, the one or more positions including at least one of one or morex-coordinates, one or more y-coordinates, or one or more pixel locationsrelated to one or more frames of one or more audiovisual streams. 19.The system of claim 3, wherein circuitry configured for signaling adecision of the at least one supplemental item to use in supplementingthe one or more positions associated with the content based at least inpart on the obtained selection comprises: circuitry configured fortransmitting one or more packets receivable by a social network, the oneor more packets indicative of the at least one supplemental item to usein supplementing the one or more positions associated with the content.20. The system of claim 3, wherein circuitry configured for signaling adecision of the at least one supplemental item to use in supplementingthe one or more positions associated with the content based at least inpart on the obtained selection comprises: circuitry configured forsignaling to modify the content at least partially in accordance withthe decision of the at least one supplemental item to use insupplementing the one or more positions associated with the content.